Widespread Hunger in Gaza: A Deadly Search for Food
Gaza’s hunger crisis has been a prevalent issue since October 2023. Before it’s war with Israel the issue had been escalating. The country is mostly relying on food aid. Food aid is when one country donates their food to another. It can also be from non-governmental associations to assist developing countries.
In 2023, after the attacks made by Hamas, Israel enforced a blockade on Gaza. It cuts off essential supplies like food, water, and fuel. With an already suffering society, the situation for food became dire. The aftermath of the conflict damaged food sources including bakeries, mills, and grocery stores. While there still was aid deliveries, it wasn’t sufficient enough to address the current needs of the society. Residents who are desperate have tried to get to aid distribution sites, but hundreds have been killed while trying to access what they need.
Now, according to NPR News, in Gaza, it is the worst case of famine along the strip, especially for children, malnutrition is becoming a problem as they are still growing and developing. Since July 1, The Gaza Health Ministry says 129 adults along with 42 children died of malnutrition-related causes. 106 children have died of malnutrition during the entire war.
Navigating access into Gaza is a significant challenge for aid organizations. It includes danger and chaos around sites, restriction of entry, and the mass quantity of people they need to assist. Basic necessities including water and sanitation is slowly depleting in areas. It is causing a spread of diseases and making it harder for those to survive in these conditions.
Works Sited
“Gaza: Mounting Evidence of Famine and Widespread Starvation.” UN News, United Nations, 26 July 2025, https://news.un.org/en/story/2025/07/1165517.
“Israel Threatens to Ban Major Aid Organizations as Starvation Deepens in Gaza.” Doctors Without Borders, 19 July 2025, https://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/latest/israel-threatens-ban-major-aid-organizations-starvation-deepens-gaza.
“Malnourished Kids Arrive Daily at a Gaza Hospital as Netanyahu Denies Hunger.” PBS NewsHour, 28 July 2025, https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/malnourished-kids-arrive-daily-at-a-gaza-hospital-as-netanyahu-denies-hunger.
“NPR News Report on Gaza Hunger.” NPR, 29 July 2025, https://www.npr.org/2025/07/29/nx-s1-5483520/gaza-famine-hunger.