The United Nations has raised alarm that famine is now a grim reality in parts of Gaza, with children increasingly dying of hunger as Israel’s siege and airstrikes block vital aid supplies.
Addressing the UN Security Council on Wednesday, Deputy Humanitarian Chief Joyce Msuya described the situation as a “man-made catastrophe”, warning that famine has already gripped north-central Gaza, including Gaza City, and could spread to Deir el-Balah and Khan Younis in the south by the end of September.
According to Msuya, Over 500,000 people are facing starvation, a figure expected to rise to over 640,000 within weeks and at least 132,000 children under five are at risk of acute malnutrition, with 43,000 likely to develop life-threatening conditions soon.
“This is not caused by drought or natural disaster,” she stressed. “It is a result of the ongoing conflict, massive destruction, and forced displacement.”
Gaza’s Health Ministry reported 10 more deaths from famine and malnutrition in the past 24 hours, including two children, bringing the total hunger-related death toll to 313 – with 119 of them children.
