Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza: Mass Starvation Warnings Heightened by Aid Groups**

Humanitarian organizations report alarming levels of starvation and malnutrition in Gaza, urging immediate global action while facing backlash from Israeli authorities. With ongoing blockade, aid delivery remains severely hindered, exacerbating the crisis.**

More than 100 international humanitarian and rights organizations have issued a dire warning about the increasing threat of mass starvation in Gaza, urging governments worldwide to take urgent action. Signatories of the statement, including Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), Save the Children, and Oxfam, report harrowing conditions, stating that both aid workers and the local populace are “wasting away” due to severe shortages of food and resources.

In a statement released on Wednesday, humanitarian groups highlighted the grim reality, noting that Israeli authorities, who manage the entry of all supplies into Gaza, dismissed their concerns. Israeli officials accused the organizations of spreading “propaganda” in favor of Hamas. Recent statistics from Gaza's health ministry indicate that in the past 24 hours alone, 10 Palestinians succumbed to malnutrition, raising the total to 43 deaths since the previous Sunday.

The United Nations has reported alarming cases of malnourished individuals filling hospitals while others collapse in the streets due to hunger. Medical professionals described a catastrophic rise in acute malnutrition rates, particularly affecting children and the elderly. One aid worker reported heartbreaking conversations with children expressing a desire to die, hoping for relief in what they perceive as a better existence.

The World Health Organization (WHO) reveals that approximately 25% of Gaza's population is experiencing famine-like conditions, with nearly 100,000 women and children in urgent need of nutritional support. WHO director, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, articulated the severity of the situation, labeling it as "mass starvation" instigated by the multifaceted blockade.

Dr. Ahmad al-Farra of Nasser Hospital shared that the facility has gone days without food supplies, leading to a critical point where patients are arriving in varying stages of malnutrition. A local resident lamented the skyrocketing food prices that put basic necessities out of reach for many families.

Despite partial easing of the blockade imposed earlier this year, humanitarian agencies indicate that basic supplies remain critically low. The UN cited over 1,050 deaths due to violence surrounding food access since late May, as families ventured out for food amidst military operations. The Israeli military contests these claims and stated that its forces only fire warning shots to deter civilians.

Gaza's precarious living conditions are compounded by an inadequate daily average distribution of aid, with humanitarian organizations unable to access existing stockpiles of food and supplies stored within Gaza and at border facilities. The UN maintains that Israel, as the occupying power, is obliged under international law to facilitate unhindered access to humanitarian aid for all affected civilians.

Israeli officials have defended their actions, claiming compliance with legal frameworks while simultaneously attributing the supply shortages to UN agencies. According to Israel’s military unit, Cogat, a reported 4,500 truckloads of aid have entered Gaza recently, yet humanitarian agencies stress that distribution challenges hinder effective delivery.

The ongoing conflict and restrictions have left many Gazans displaced and unable to access essential services, leading to increasing desperation. Humanitarian organizations are now calling on international leaders for decisive action—demanding an end to hostilities, removal of bureaucratic barriers, and restoration of a robust, UN-led humanitarian response.

Israel's Ministry of Foreign Affairs rejected the claims made by humanitarian groups, asserting that they merely reflect “Hamas propaganda” and counterproductive rhetoric. The situation remains precarious as negotiations between Israel and Hamas for a possible ceasefire and hostage release are ongoing, with the death toll in Gaza reportedly exceeding 59,000 since hostilities escalated.