What's happened
As of July 2025, Gaza faces a catastrophic malnutrition crisis amid Israel's blockade and ongoing conflict. Over 17,000 children suffer severe malnutrition, with hospitals overwhelmed and aid deliveries severely restricted. More than 870 Palestinians have died seeking food at militarized aid points, while UN agencies warn of engineered starvation and call for urgent humanitarian access.
What's behind the headline?
The Humanitarian Catastrophe Is Man-Made
The malnutrition crisis in Gaza is not a mere consequence of war but a direct result of deliberate policies and blockade enforcement by Israel. The drastic reduction of aid trucks—from 500 daily before the war to fewer than 80, and near-total blockade in March—has engineered widespread starvation, especially among children and vulnerable populations.
Militarization of Aid Distribution
The replacement of over 400 local aid points with four heavily militarized sites run by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) has transformed food distribution into a lethal operation. UN reports of over 870 deaths near these sites, mostly caused by Israeli fire, reveal a system where civilians seeking basic sustenance face deadly risks. This militarization undermines humanitarian principles and exacerbates civilian suffering.
Impact on Healthcare and Vulnerable Groups
Hospitals are overwhelmed with malnourished patients, including infants and healthcare workers themselves, some losing up to 30kg due to food shortages. The lack of baby formula and nutritional supplies forces desperate measures, such as feeding infants sugar water. Malnutrition impairs recovery from injuries, increasing preventable deaths.
Political and Ethical Implications
The blockade and aid restrictions serve as a form of collective punishment, drawing accusations of war crimes and genocide. The International Criminal Court's arrest warrants for Israeli officials underscore the gravity of these allegations. Meanwhile, international aid agencies face obstruction and politicization, limiting their ability to alleviate suffering.
Forecast and Consequences
Without immediate and unfettered humanitarian access, malnutrition and starvation will worsen, leading to more deaths and long-term developmental damage among children. The militarized aid system will likely continue to cause casualties unless replaced by a neutral, UN-led distribution mechanism. The international community's response will shape Gaza's humanitarian future and regional stability.
Relevance to Readers
This crisis highlights the devastating human cost of protracted conflict and blockade policies. It underscores the importance of international humanitarian law and the need for global advocacy to ensure aid reaches those in need safely. The unfolding situation in Gaza serves as a stark reminder of how political decisions directly impact civilian lives.
What the papers say
Philippe Lazzarini, UNRWA Commissioner General, described the situation as "engineered and man-made," emphasizing the urgent need for humanitarian access (Al Jazeera, 16 Jul 2025). Juliette Touma, UNRWA's Director of Communications, reported that "one in 10 children screened in UNRWA medical facilities is malnourished," with over 240,000 children under five screened since January 2024 (The Japan Times, 16 Jul 2025; The Times of Israel, 15 Jul 2025).
British surgeon Professor Nick Maynard, working in Gaza, highlighted the severity of malnutrition, stating, "The malnutrition I'm seeing here is indescribably bad," and criticized the blockade as "enforced malnutrition" (The New Arab, 17 Jul 2025). Medical Aid for Palestinians volunteer surgeon recounted treating severely malnourished children and infants, noting that "babies were dying not from bombs or bullets, but from starvation," and described the aid distribution points as "death traps" due to sniper fire (The Guardian, 22 Jul 2025).
UNRWA and other agencies have condemned the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation's aid distribution system, with Lazzarini calling it a "sadistic death trap" where snipers fire on crowds (The New Arab, 22 Jul 2025). The UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights recorded at least 875 killings near aid points in six weeks, mostly near GHF sites (The Times of Israel, 15 Jul 2025).
Contrasting views come from the GHF, which denies incidents at its sites and accuses the UN of misinformation (The New Arab, 22 Jul 2025). Israel and the US accuse Hamas of looting aid shipments, which Hamas denies. Meanwhile, international bodies like UNICEF report rising malnutrition rates, with over 5,800 children diagnosed last month alone (Al Jazeera, 16 Jul 2025).
These sources collectively paint a grim picture of a humanitarian crisis exacerbated by political and military strategies, with civilians caught in a deadly nexus of conflict and aid restrictions.
How we got here
Since October 2023, Gaza has been under intense Israeli military assault and blockade, severely restricting food, medical supplies, and fuel. In March 2025, Israel tightened the siege, halting most aid deliveries. The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, backed by Israel and the US, replaced hundreds of local aid sites with four militarized distribution hubs, leading to deadly incidents and restricted access for civilians.
Go deeper
- What is causing the rise in child malnutrition in Gaza?
- How is the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation's aid distribution system affecting civilians?
- What are international agencies doing to address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza?
Common question
-
Why Is Gaza Facing a Worsening Aid Crisis and Rising Malnutrition?
Gaza's humanitarian situation has deteriorated sharply over recent months, with aid restrictions and ongoing conflict causing a surge in malnutrition, especially among children. Many wonder why aid is still blocked, how many are affected, and what the future holds for Gaza's vulnerable population. Below, we explore the key questions about this urgent crisis.
-
What’s Causing the Rise in Syria-Israel Tensions?
Recent developments in the Middle East have seen a sharp increase in tensions between Syria and Israel. With military strikes, regional power struggles, and international involvement, many are wondering what’s behind this escalation and what it means for regional stability. Below, we explore the key factors fueling these tensions and what might happen next.
-
What’s happening with aid access in Gaza?
The humanitarian situation in Gaza has become increasingly dire, with severe restrictions on aid delivery leading to rising malnutrition and suffering among civilians. Many wonder why aid access is so limited and what is being done to help. Below, we explore the current state of aid in Gaza, its impact on vulnerable populations, and what international efforts are underway to alleviate the crisis.
-
What’s the Latest on Gaza, Ukraine, and Global Responses?
With ongoing conflicts in Gaza and Ukraine, international responses are evolving rapidly. From worsening humanitarian crises to new peace proposals and global coalitions, people are searching for clear, concise updates. Below, we answer the most common questions about these pressing issues and what they mean for the world today.
-
Why is child malnutrition rising in Gaza right now?
The ongoing conflict and blockade in Gaza have led to a severe humanitarian crisis, with a sharp increase in child malnutrition. Many wonder what is causing this alarming trend and what can be done to help vulnerable children. Below, we explore the key reasons behind the crisis and answer common questions about the situation in Gaza today.
-
Why Is Malnutrition Worsening in Gaza?
The ongoing conflict and blockade in Gaza have led to a severe malnutrition crisis, affecting thousands of civilians, especially children. Many wonder what is causing this worsening situation, how aid efforts are impacted, and what can be done to help. Below, we explore the key questions surrounding this humanitarian emergency and what it means for Gaza's vulnerable population.
More on these topics
-
The Gaza Strip, or simply Gaza, is a self-governing Palestinian territory on the eastern coast of the Mediterranean Sea, that borders Egypt on the southwest for 11 kilometers and Israel on the east and north along a 51 km border.
-
Gaza most commonly refers to:
Gaza Strip, a Palestinian territory on the eastern coast of the Mediterranean Sea
Gaza City, a city in the Gaza Strip
Gaza may also refer to:
-
Israel, formally known as the State of Israel, is a country in Western Asia, located on the southeastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea and the northern shore of the Red Sea.
-
Philippe Lazzarini (French: [filip lazaʁini], Italian: [fiˈlip laddzaˈriːni]; born 1964) is a Swiss humanitarian who has been serving as Commissioner-General of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA.
-
The United Nations is an intergovernmental organization that aims to maintain international peace and security, develop friendly relations among nations, achieve international cooperation, and be a centre for harmonizing the actions of nations.