Gaza Entire Population Faces Critical Hunger Crisis Amid Blockade

The Gaza Strip is facing a dire hunger crisis as the entire population of 2.1 million people confronts critical levels of food insecurity due to an ongoing Israeli blockade that has cut off humanitarian aid including food, medicine, and essential supplies since March 2025. Reports from the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) reveal that nearly half a million residents are at the most severe level of food insecurity, described as 'catastrophe' or famine conditions, a dramatic increase from previous estimates. Children and pregnant or breastfeeding women are especially vulnerable, with over 71,000 children under five suffering from acute malnutrition and tens of thousands requiring urgent treatment to prevent life-threatening health issues. The blockade has also disrupted agriculture and fishing, further worsening food availability, while humanitarian agencies warn that the crisis is rapidly deteriorating and could lead to widespread famine if aid access is not restored immediately. International organizations and monitors have condemned the use of starvation as a weapon and called for an immediate lifting of the blockade, release of hostages, and a ceasefire to prevent further deaths and suffering. The UN and aid groups emphasize that delaying response until famine is officially declared would be too late to save many lives.