Gaza Starvation Crisis Kills Over 60 Children Amid Blockade, Aid Barriers

The humanitarian crisis in Gaza has reached catastrophic levels as Israel's ongoing siege and blockade severely restrict food and essential supplies, resulting in widespread starvation and malnutrition among Palestinians, especially children. Over 60 Palestinian children have died from starvation, with thousands more treated for acute malnutrition since early 2025, as aid deliveries are deliberately obstructed and food distribution zones are militarized, leading to deadly violence against aid seekers. Reports accuse the Israel- and U.S.-managed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation of exacerbating the crisis by allegedly mixing opioid drugs in aid packages and allowing Israeli forces to deliberately fire on crowds near aid sites, causing hundreds of deaths. The blockade has also enabled a black market where scarce aid goods are resold at exorbitant prices, pushing many families to the brink of starvation and forcing desperate survival tactics such as bread-baking exchanges among displaced families. International condemnation has grown over what is described as a "weaponized hunger" strategy, with calls for immediate intervention to prevent further mass deaths and alleviate the man-made famine. Journalists and humanitarian officials highlight the systematic targeting of civilians and aid efforts, underscoring the urgent need for a ceasefire and unimpeded access to humanitarian aid.