The United Nations warned on Tuesday, August 12, that the hunger and malnutrition crisis in Gaza has reached its most severe level since the outbreak of war.
UN spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric, citing the World Food Programme, reported that five people died in the last 24 hours alone due to hunger and malnutrition.
According to Gaza’s Ministry of Health, 222 people—including 101 children—have died from nutrition-related causes since the war began. The ministry emphasized that the volume of humanitarian aid reaching Gaza remains drastically below the minimum required.
Despite ongoing efforts by the UN and its humanitarian partners, Dujarric said the delivery of food and essential supplies continues to face significant delays and restrictions imposed by the Israeli government.
This warning comes amid relentless Israeli air and ground assaults that began in October 2023, resulting in the mass displacement of Gaza’s population, widespread destruction of urban areas, and a deepening humanitarian catastrophe.
According to Gaza’s Health Ministry, more than 61,400 people have been killed in the conflict to date, nearly half of them women and children.
