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Food supply

Gaza on the Brink of Famine: Warning Signs Increasing Amid Conflict

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Gaza is on the precipice of a full-scale famine, with food consumption and nutrition indicators reaching their worst levels since the conflict began. Two of three famine thresholds have been breached in parts of the territory, leading to catastrophic food security conditions. Over 500,000 people, nearly a quarter of Gaza's population, are experiencing famine-like conditions, while the rest face emergency levels of hunger. The collapse of essential services, severe restrictions on humanitarian aid, and ongoing conflict have created a perfect storm of food insecurity.

Key Takeaways:

  • Food consumption has declined by 39%, with 500,000 people experiencing famine-like conditions and the rest facing emergency levels of hunger.
  • Acute malnutrition is rising at an unprecedented pace, with malnutrition rates among children under five in Gaza City quadrupling to 16.5% in two months.
  • Over 320,000 children under five in Gaza are at risk of acute malnutrition, with thousands suffering from severe acute malnutrition.
  • Humanitarian aid entering Gaza remains far below requirements, with over 62,000 tonnes of food and nutrition assistance needed monthly.
  • The UN agencies have welcomed new commitments to improve humanitarian access but urge immediate action to scale up the delivery of food and nutrition aid.
  • Commercial food imports are critical to ensure access to fresh produce, dairy, and proteins.
  • Fuel, clean water, and other vital supplies remain scarce, undermining efforts to prevent famine and protect children's lives.

Statistics:

  • 39% of Gaza's population is now going days without eating.
  • 500,000 people (nearly a quarter of Gaza's population) are experiencing famine-like conditions.
  • Malnutrition rates among children under five in Gaza City have quadrupled to 16.5% in two months.
  • Over 320,000 children under five in Gaza are at risk of acute malnutrition.
  • 6,500 children were treated for malnutrition in June alone, the highest number since the conflict began.
  • 5,000 cases of malnutrition were recorded in July, in the first two weeks of the month.
  • Only 15% of essential nutrition services are currently functioning.
  • 62,000 tonnes of food and nutrition assistance are needed monthly to meet basic humanitarian needs.

Sources:

  • "Gaza on the brink of full-scale famine, warn humanitarian agencies" (Wam, 2025)
  • Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) Alert
  • Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO)
  • World Food Programme (WFP)
  • UNICEF
  • Quotation from FAO Director-General QU Dongyu
  • Quotation from WFP Executive Director Cindy McCain
  • Quotation from UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell

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