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Understanding Famine Threat in Gaza: Why is Gaza Nearing a Potential Famine State Due to Israel's Ongoing Blockade?

Persistent food scarcity strikes in Gaza, with one out of every five residents facing imminent starvation, as Israel enforces its ongoing blockade. Explore the physiological effects of prolonged hunger on the human body.

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5 min read
Persistentstarvation in Gaza, amidst the ongoing Israeli blockade, results in severe physical and...
Persistentstarvation in Gaza, amidst the ongoing Israeli blockade, results in severe physical and mental impacts on one in every five individuals. Understanding the effects of starvation on the human body is crucial.

Understanding Famine Threat in Gaza: Why is Gaza Nearing a Potential Famine State Due to Israel's Ongoing Blockade?

In the war-torn Gaza Strip, a staggering half a million people are teetering on the brink of starvation. That's one in five Palestinians who are struggling to find food amidst the chaos.

The UN's Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) paint a grim picture, reporting that the entire population is suffering from high levels of acute food insecurity. The IPC warns that if the situation doesn't change, famine could be declared by September.

Israel has been blocking all food, water, and medicine from entering Gaza for over 73 days, creating a man-made crisis unfolding before our eyes. The IPC suggests that famine could be officially declared any day now.

So, what exactly is famine? It's the worst level of hunger, where people face food shortages, widespread malnutrition, and death due to starvation. According to the UN's criteria, famine is declared when at least 20 percent of households face extreme food shortages, more than 30 percent of children suffer from acute malnutrition, and at least two out of every 10,000 people or four out of every 10,000 children die each day from starvation or hunger-related causes.

Famine isn't just about hunger. It's about the complete collapse of a community's access to food, water, and the systems necessary for survival. Since Israel's blockade began on March 2, at least 57 children have died from malnutrition-related complications, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

Starvation is a slow and painful process. It begins when the human body is deprived of food for extended periods. At first, the body enters a stage where it uses stored fat for energy. The final, and often fatal, stage is when all stored fats have been depleted, and the body starts consuming bone and muscle for sustenance.

Children are the most vulnerable victims of Israel's blockade. Over 9,000 children have been hospitalized due to malnutrition since the start of the year. By March 2026, the IPC projects that nearly 71,000 children under the age of five will suffer from acute malnutrition, 14,100 of whom could face severe cases.

Malnutrition's effects on children are devastating. During the first 1,000 days of a child's life, proper nutrition is crucial for healthy development. Malnutrition leads to stunted growth, an out-of-proportion height-to-weight ratio, and eventually, death.

It's important to note that the situation in Gaza is getting worse by the day. Dr Ahmed Abu Nasir, a pediatrician at Kamal Adwan Hospital in Beit Lahiya, stated that the shortage of essential nutrients in Gaza has made the situation even more dire, especially in the north. "Children are in their growing stage and badly need certain nutrients, including proteins and fats," Dr. Abu Nasir told Al Jazeera. "These are not available in the Gaza Strip, particularly in the north."

Pregnant and breastfeeding women will also need treatment for malnutrition, as 17,000 women now face this risk. The current situation has made finding even a single meal an impossible quest for many Palestinians in Gaza.

Despite substantial food supplies just across the border, the complete blockade has prevented these essential goods from reaching those who desperately need them. If the situation doesn't improve soon, it's not an exaggeration to say that Gaza is facing the very real possibility of widespread starvation.

References:1. Al Jazeera. (2025, April 13). Half a million people in Gaza face starvation as blockade worsens. Retrieved from https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/4/13/at-least-500000-people-face-starvation-in-gaza-strip2. World Health Organization. (2025). Gaza – Food Security Crisis. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/emergencies/gaza3. Médecins Sans Frontières. (2025). Gaza Food Crisis: Urgently needed food aid being blocked by Israel. Retrieved from https://www.msf.org/gaza-food-crisis-urgently-needed-food-aid-being-blocked-by-israel

  1. Breaking news: The United Nations is sounding the alarm over a worsening food crisis in the Gaza Strip, where half a million people are on the brink of starvation.
  2. The situation in Gaza is critical, as the country faces the very real possibility of widespread starvation if the blockade does not end soon.
  3. The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) reports that the entire population is suffering from high levels of acute food insecurity.
  4. If the situation doesn't change, famine could be declared by September, according to the IPC.
  5. Israel has been blocking all food, water, and medicine from entering Gaza for over 73 days, creating a man-made crisis.
  6. Famine is the worst level of hunger, where people face food shortages, widespread malnutrition, and death due to starvation.
  7. According to the UN's criteria, famine is declared when at least 20 percent of households face extreme food shortages.
  8. More than 30 percent of children in Gaza suffer from acute malnutrition, and at least two out of every 10,000 people or four out of every 10,000 children die each day from starvation or hunger-related causes.
  9. The shortage of essential nutrients in Gaza has made the situation even more dire, especially in the north.
  10. Dr Ahmed Abu Nasir, a pediatrician at Kamal Adwan Hospital in Beit Lahiya, stated that children are in their growing stage and badly need certain nutrients, including proteins and fats.
  11. Over 9,000 children have been hospitalized due to malnutrition since the start of the year.
  12. By March 2026, the IPC projects that nearly 71,000 children under the age of five will suffer from acute malnutrition, 14,100 of whom could face severe cases.
  13. Malnutrition leads to stunted growth, an out-of-proportion height-to-weight ratio, and eventually, death.
  14. Pregnant and breastfeeding women will also need treatment for malnutrition, as 17,000 women now face this risk.
  15. The complete blockade has prevented essential goods from reaching those who desperately need them, including food supplies just across the border.
  16. The effects of malnutrition on children are devastating and can have long-lasting impacts on their health and development.
  17. The UN, World Health Organization (WHO), and Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) are among those calling for an end to the blockade to prevent a worsening of the crisis.
  18. The food crisis in Gaza is just one example of the impacts of war on health and well-being.
  19. Chronic diseases, including cancer, respiratory conditions, digestive health issues, and eye health problems, are all more prevalent in areas affected by conflict.
  20. Health and wellness are essential components of workplace wellness programs, as employees with chronic medical conditions may require accommodations to perform their jobs effectively.
  21. Therapies and treatments, such as medical cannabis (CBD), can help manage symptoms of chronic diseases, including neurological disorders like epilepsy and multiple sclerosis.
  22. Mental health is another crucial aspect of health and wellness, and stress and trauma can have significant impacts on individuals, particularly in the aftermath of war.
  23. Men's health, skin care, and sexual health are all important to address and promote in the health and wellness industry.
  24. Aging brings new health challenges, such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes, and lifestyle changes can help manage these risks.
  25. Women's health includes specific concerns like reproductive health, breast health, and osteoporosis, and is an essential component of women's empowerment and gender equality.
  26. Health and wellness extend beyond individual health and include broader social and environmental factors, such as access to clean water, proper sanitation, and nutrition.
  27. Climate change is a significant threat to global health and well-being, with potential impacts on food security, water supply, and the spread of diseases like malaria and dengue fever.
  28. It's crucial to prioritize health and wellness at the individual, community, and global levels, as they are essential to promoting a healthy and sustainable future for all.

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