345,000 in Gaza at Risk of Hunger Amid Aid Shortage

A recent United Nations report warns that around 345,000 people in Gaza face catastrophic hunger this winter due to a sharp decline in humanitarian aid deliveries.

This alarming projection marks a drastic increase compared to the 133,000 people currently suffering from severe food insecurity in the region.

The assessment, conducted by UN agencies and NGOs, highlights the worsening food crisis in Gaza as access to aid has become increasingly limited.

The report from the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) notes that while increased aid over the summer alleviated some suffering, a significant reduction in both commercial and humanitarian supplies has occurred since March.

This decline is expected to push more Gazans into extreme food insecurity between November 2024 and April 2025, with 16% of the population projected to face catastrophic hunger levels during this period.

The report emphasizes the severity of the situation, stating that the sharp reduction in aid will severely limit families' ability to access basic goods and services unless significant changes occur.

It also raises concerns about the potential for a broader humanitarian catastrophe as the conflict continues, and Israel restricts aid access into the region.

Earlier this week, the United States warned Israel that a portion of its military aid, worth billions of dollars, could be frozen unless the flow of humanitarian aid to Gaza improves within 30 days.

The IPC report stresses that the risk of famine between November 2024 and April 2025 remains high as long as the conflict persists and humanitarian access remains restricted. 

The densely populated and war-ravaged Gaza Strip is already grappling with limited space, temporary shelters, and sporadic access to essential supplies, increasing the risk of epidemics and a potential disaster of unprecedented magnitude.

The escalation of Israeli military operations, coupled with new evacuation orders, has intensified the likelihood of a worst-case scenario.

The report further estimates that around 60,000 children between the ages of 6 months and 4 years could suffer from acute malnutrition during the same timeframe.