UN Warns of Catastrophic Famine and Health Crisis in Gaza Amid Ongoing Israeli Attacks
OCHA reports severe humanitarian collapse, rising malnutrition cases, and water shortages as Israeli siege and military operations cripple aid efforts.
Watan-The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) confirmed that ongoing Israeli attacks on Gaza have resulted, according to reports, in the killing and injury of dozens of Palestinians over recent days, along with widespread damage to civilian infrastructure.
The agency emphasized that humanitarian operations continue to face severe restrictions due to both the ongoing military actions and the blockade, warning of an imminent, wider spread of famine.
In a statement published on the UN website, OCHA reiterated the urgent need for the protection of civilians, including humanitarian workers, under international humanitarian law amid the ongoing warfare.
OCHA stated that humanitarian activities remain heavily constrained by active hostilities and the complete ban on aid and commercial goods, in place for over eight consecutive weeks. With supplies rapidly dwindling, humanitarian partners are struggling to deliver the few remaining resources to those in need.
Catastrophic Health and Hunger Crisis
The Government Media Office in Gaza announced that the suffocating blockade has led to a catastrophic deterioration of health conditions and a sharp rise in acute malnutrition cases, especially among children and infants.
It reported that more than 65,000 severe malnutrition cases have been recorded among the 1.1 million children suffering daily hunger.
United Nations partners noted that, over the past weekend alone, 16 more community kitchens were forced to shut down despite attempts to adjust menus, reduce portions, or rally community support. Many more kitchens are expected to close in the coming days due to the depletion of food supplies.
The World Food Programme (WFP) also announced that its stockpiles had run out, warning that community kitchens will be forced to cease operations within days unless immediate aid arrives.
According to OCHA, residents are relying almost entirely on these kitchens for their only source of food aid.
Israeli Legal Obligations Ignored
OCHA stressed that Israel, as the occupying power, holds clear legal responsibilities under international law, including the obligation to ensure the provision of food, medical supplies, and public health services and to facilitate humanitarian relief whenever those supplies are unavailable.
Despite the scale of the emergency—with more than 2 million people facing extreme food shortages—the latest Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) famine review analysis has just begun this week.
Humanitarian partners warn that Gaza’s food security situation is deteriorating rapidly across all areas.
Worsening Water Crisis and Forced Displacement
OCHA also addressed the worsening water crisis in Gaza, reporting that thousands of families have been newly displaced following another Israeli-issued evacuation order targeting western areas of Gaza governorate.
Support partners providing water, sanitation, and hygiene services stated that, despite maintaining over 12 water distribution points, water production has declined by 20% over the past three weeks.
This sharp decline is due to the unavailability of fuel or the fact that existing fuel is located in inaccessible areas, severely affecting groundwater extraction from wells.
Broader Context: Israeli War Crimes and International Condemnations
The systematic siege, deliberate starvation tactics, targeted attacks on civilian infrastructure, and forced displacement campaigns conducted by Israeli forces are increasingly being classified by international legal experts and human rights organizations as potential war crimes.
Reports from groups like Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, and UN agencies have called for urgent investigations and accountability for violations of international humanitarian law in Gaza and the West Bank.
