Manmade Famine Causes Severe Malnutrition, Deaths in Gaza Amid Blockade

The humanitarian crisis in Gaza has reached catastrophic levels, with multiple organizations and experts warning of a manmade famine caused by Israel's siege and blockade, which has severely restricted aid access. The United Nations' World Food Programme and the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification Initiative report that famine thresholds have been met across much of Gaza, with widespread starvation, malnutrition, and disease already causing deaths, especially among children, pregnant women, and other vulnerable groups. Aid organizations and journalists on the ground describe dire conditions, with over 100 malnutrition deaths recorded and many more expected, highlighting the urgent need for immediate, unimpeded humanitarian access and a lasting ceasefire. Critics accuse Israel and its allies, notably the United States and European countries, of complicity in the crisis, arguing that geopolitical interests protect Israel despite the severe consequences for Palestinian civilians. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu recently engaged with right-wing U.S. media figures amid these developments, while journalists in Gaza continue to risk their lives reporting under extreme conditions. The international community faces mounting pressure to act decisively to end the blockade, allow humanitarian aid, and prevent further loss of life in Gaza.