Every person in Gaza is now malnourished, according to the United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees, which warns that the Israeli blockade has left the entire population without adequate food or aid.

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The humanitarian situation in Gaza has deteriorated to critical levels. Adnan Abu Hasna, spokesperson for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), stated that “the entire population of Gaza is suffering from malnutrition,” with most people now classified under Phase 5 of the Integrated Food Security classification system—the most severe stage, indicating widespread starvation and death.

“One in every ten children in Gaza is now suffering from acute malnutrition,” Abu Hasna said, citing the effects of prolonged Israeli restrictions on aid delivery.

UNRWA says it has the capacity to bring up to 700 truckloads of food into Gaza each day, but Israel continues to block access. “The agency can bring in 700 trucks of food a day to Gaza, but Israel prevents this,” he said.

In addition to restricting aid, Israeli authorities have closed 400 UNRWA distribution centers in Gaza, further limiting the agency’s ability to deliver humanitarian assistance.

Palestinian health officials reported on Friday that at least 70 children have died from hunger-related causes since Israel launched its military campaign in October 2023.

Since that time, Israeli operations have killed at least 58,765 Palestinians—most of them women and children—and injured more than 139,900 others, according to figures released by Gaza’s health ministry.

UN agencies and humanitarian groups continue to call for full and immediate access to Gaza. For many across the Global South, the ongoing siege is not only a humanitarian emergency but a reflection of broader patterns of injustice, collective punishment, and impunity. Without urgent intervention, aid workers warn that Gaza’s hunger crisis will worsen further—especially for its youngest.

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