Gaza facing catastrophic hunger

UN says 500,000 in Gaza facing ‘catastrophic’ hunger

GAZA CITY: The United Nations said Friday that 500,000 people in Gaza are facing “catastrophic” hunger conditions after nearly a year of war between Israel and Hamas, and that recent Israeli restrictions are greatly worsening the humanitarian crisis.

The World Food Programme said it was forced to stop sending food to southern Gaza because of the restrictions, and warned that stocks there are running out. The UN humanitarian office said the situation is “beyond dire” and will get worse if the obstacles to aid deliveries continue.

“This is a catastrophe on top of a catastrophe,” UN humanitarian coordinator Jamie McGoldrick said in a briefing. “If there is no change in the way things are handled, we are heading for a disaster of epic proportions.”

Israeli authorities recently imposed new restrictions on the entry of aid, food, and fuel into Gaza, citing security concerns. At the same time, fighting has intensified in several parts of the territory, making it nearly impossible for humanitarian workers to operate safely.

The UN says more than 500,000 people, or a quarter of Gaza’s population, are now living in circumstances it classifies as “catastrophic” hunger — the most severe level recognized by global food security standards. McGoldrick said those affected are eating just one meal a day, and some are surviving on little more than water.

“People are going days without food,” he said. “Every assessment we have done shows that the situation is getting worse and worse.”

The UN says that at least half of all children under five in Gaza are malnourished, and many are suffering from illnesses as a result.

The crisis comes as the war between Israel and Hamas approaches the one-year mark. Efforts to broker a ceasefire have repeatedly failed, and hostilities continue with no sign of a break.

The World Food Programme on Friday said it had suspended deliveries to southern Gaza after Israeli authorities blocked access to key entry points. “We have stocks on hand that are dwindling fast,” said WFP spokeswoman Shaza Moghraby. “Unless there is a change, we will run out in a matter of days.”

Other aid agencies have warned that the inability to deliver supplies is causing widespread suffering. “We are on the brink of a humanitarian disaster,” said Save the Children’s regional director, Jeremy Hopkins.

Israeli authorities say the restrictions are necessary to prevent weapons smuggling and protect troops operating in the area. They say they are allowing limited quantities of food, water, and medicine into Gaza.

Aid workers say the limited supplies are nowhere near enough to meet the needs of Gaza’s more than 2 million people. Snehal Shah, the UN’s humanitarian adviser for Gaza, said the situation should “be recognized as a full-blown famine.”

“It is not just lack of food, but also lack of clean water, adequate shelter, basic sanitation and health care,” Shah said.

THE STRAITS TIMES SATURDAY AUGUST 23, 2025