• Israel's blockade has severely restricted aid to Gaza, leading to widespread food shortages and near-famine conditions.
• Accusations are mounting that Israel is deliberately using starvation as a weapon of war and as leverage in negotiations.
• Reports highlight severe malnutrition, skyrocketing food prices, and the consumption of unconventional food sources to survive, alongside disinformation campaigns to deny the crisis.

Gaza is currently facing a dire humanitarian crisis characterized by severe food shortages and the imminent threat of famine. This situation is largely attributed to the ongoing Israeli blockade, which has drastically restricted the entry of humanitarian aid and essential supplies. Reports from aid organizations and personal accounts detail the rapidly deteriorating conditions, including widespread malnutrition, skyrocketing food prices, and desperate measures taken by residents to find sustenance. There are accusations that Israel is deliberately using starvation as a weapon of war and engaging in disinformation campaigns to deny the severity of the crisis.

• What: Severe food shortages and impending famine in Gaza due to the Israeli blockade and restrictions on humanitarian aid.
• Who: 2.1 million Palestinians in Gaza, Israeli government officials, humanitarian organizations (World Food Programme, UNRWA, American Near East Refugee Aid), Hamas.
• When: Crisis escalated after Israel shattered the ceasefire on March 18, 2025. Blockade started on March 2. Reports mention data from December 2024 and events up to May 2025.
• Where: Gaza Strip, with specific mentions of Beit Lahia and northern Gaza.

The situation in Gaza presents a complex and deeply concerning humanitarian crisis. The reports converge on the fact that the population is facing severe food shortages, malnutrition, and the risk of famine. The Intercept directly accuses Israel of deliberately using starvation as a weapon, providing anecdotal evidence of desperate measures taken by Gazans and highlighting alleged disinformation campaigns. The New York Times emphasizes the scale of the humanitarian emergency and the exploitation of aid as a tool of war. The key point of contention, albeit implicitly, is the extent to which the crisis is a direct result of Israeli policies and whether these policies constitute a violation of international law. The potential impacts of the famine include long-term health consequences for the population, particularly children, and further destabilization of the region.

Fewer people come because flour is no longer available. Those who still do often bring bug-infested flour, the only thing they have left to feed their children.

No humanitarian aid to enter Gaza.

Not a single grain of wheat will enter Gaza.

Gaza is teetering on the brink of famine, with reports of severe food shortages and widespread malnutrition. Accusations of weaponized starvation and deliberate obstruction of aid exacerbate the crisis. While the international community calls for increased humanitarian access, the future remains uncertain. The long-term consequences of this crisis, particularly on the health and well-being of children, are likely to be severe and far-reaching. The situation demands immediate and sustained intervention to prevent further suffering and potential loss of life.