Danger of Deadly Famine Looms in Gaza, According to WHO

In the Gaza Strip, a severe hunger crisis is unfolding, with alarming death rates due to malnutrition, particularly among children. Since the beginning of 2025, the World Health Organization (WHO) has documented at least 21 deaths of children under five years old attributed to malnutrition.

The humanitarian situation in the region is dire, with over 2.1 million people living under near-complete blockade conditions. The blockade has led to almost 80 consecutive days without any food deliveries from March to mid-May 2025. Even after intermittent resumption, the food provided remains far below the minimum required for survival, causing widespread starvation.

The WHO Director-General, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, has stated that people in Gaza are facing starvation. The World Food Programme (WFP) reports that malnutrition is rapidly increasing in the Gaza Strip, with 90,000 women and children in urgent need of medical treatment. Over 10% of the population suffers from acute malnutrition, and 20%+ of pregnant and breastfeeding women are severely malnourished.

Thousands of children have been hospitalized for acute malnutrition, with estimates showing about 15% of children screened daily suffer from moderate to severe malnutrition in certain facilities. The scarcity is so extreme that parents report children crying from hunger, and hospitals are overwhelmed with malnourished infants and children.

The crisis is exacerbated by violence and chaos in the distribution of aid packages, with witnesses reporting incidents of theft and corruption. Despite this, more than 100 international aid organizations have called for access to people in need in the Gaza Strip, citing tons of unused aid materials.

The Israeli government spokesman has accused Hamas of seizing aid trucks and selling them at exorbitant prices, preventing the distribution of aid to the population. However, the UN denies not picking up trucks that are already in the Gaza Strip and bringing them to the people, as claimed by the Israeli government spokesman.

In addition to the hunger crisis, the ongoing conflict continues to displace the population, making it challenging for the United Nations to assess the criteria for declaring a famine. Despite this, a quarter of the population in the Gaza Strip is now living in conditions similar to famine.

Thousands of protesters have marched in Tel Aviv, raising awareness of the hunger crisis in Gaza, displaying photos of children who have died from hunger-related causes and carrying sacks of flour. Ross Smith, Director of Emergency Operations at WFP, states that people are dying every day due to the lack of humanitarian aid in the Gaza Strip.

As the situation continues to deteriorate, international aid organizations and governments are urging for immediate action to address the crisis and prevent further loss of life. The humanitarian emergency in the Gaza Strip is a testament to the urgent need for peace and stability in the region.

The crisis in Gaza is not only a matter of hunger, but it also impacts the healthcare sector, with a rise in medical conditions like malnutrition, chronic diseases, COPD, type-2 diabetes, cancer, and respiratory conditions.
The scarcity of food in Gaza is causing digestive health issues and exacerbating eye-health problems, leading to a surge in vision-related issues.
Alongside physical health, the mental health of the population is being affected, with rising cases of stress, anxiety, and depression.
The health of men in Gaza is particularly at risk, as they are more prone to neglect their well-being in times of crisis, leading to an increase in health issues such as skin-care problems, heart diseases, and autoimmune disorders.
Womens-health is also severely impacted, with pregnancies at risk due to malnutrition and a lack of access to proper healthcare.
The situation in Gaza is a concerning reminder of the importance of nutrition for eye-health, skin-care, and overall aging, as malnutrition can lead to premature aging and various health complications.
Parenting in Gaza is extremely challenging under the current conditions, with parents struggling to provide for their children's nutrition, and the added stress of their children's health and well-being.
The crisis has also led to an increase in weight-management issues, as the lack of food and the stress of the situation can lead to unhealthy eating habits.
In addition to physical health, the healthcare system in Gaza is struggling to manage neurological disorders like Alzheimers disease and migraines, as well as skin-conditions such as psoriasis.
The ongoing violence and chaos in Gaza have made it difficult for the delivery of therapies and treatments,, causing a backlog in medical care for various chronic diseases like chronic kidney disease and multiple sclerosis.
The situation in Gaza has been exacerbated by accidents, car accidents, and fires, which have further strained the already scarce resources of the healthcare system.
The general news coverage of the humanitarian crisis in Gaza has brought attention to the escalating crime and justice issues, with reports of violence and corruption in the distribution of aid.
The lack of access to proper healthcare in Gaza has also affected cancer patients, making it difficult for them to receive timely treatment for diagnoses like breast cancer.
The poverty and malnutrition in Gaza have been linked to an increase in hearing-related issues, as malnutrition can lead to damage to the inner ear.
As the situation in Gaza worsens, the WHO has emphasized the need for fitness and exercise, as it can help boost the immune system and improve overall health in the face of malnutrition.
The United Nations has also highlighted the importance of sexual health in the crisis, as malnutrition can affect reproductive health and increase the risk of sexually transmitted infections.
The Israeli government's accusations of Hamas seizing aid trucks and selling them have been met with skepticism, as international aid organizations and the UN question the Israelis' motives for blocking aid deliveries.
The UN has called for an end to the blockade of Gaza, stating that it is a violation of human rights and a major contributing factor to the ongoing crisis.
In response to the crisis, several organizations have started campaigns for weight-management, promoting healthy diets and fitness programs to help the population cope with malnutrition.
Medicare has also announced its intention to provide aid to those affected by the crisis, including funding for food and medical supplies to address the widespread starvation and malnutrition in Gaza.
In an effort to alleviate the crisis, some countries have started exploring the use of alternative treatments like CBD oil to help with chronic pain and inflammation, as a means of compensating for the lack of conventional treatments in Gaza.