At least 15 Palestinians, including a six-week-old baby, have died from starvation in Gaza in the past 24 hours, according to local health officials. This marks the worst day yet in a growing hunger crisis that is spreading across the war-torn enclave.
The infant, Yousef al-Safadi, died at a hospital in northern Gaza. Three other children, including 13-year-old Abdulhamid al-Ghalban, also died of hunger in hospitals in Khan Younis and other parts of the region.
So far, over 100 people—80 of them children—have died of hunger since the war began, with most of the deaths happening in recent weeks.
According to the Palestinian Ministry of Health, more than 600,000 people are suffering from severe malnutrition, including at least 60,000 pregnant women. Doctors are reporting cases of dehydration, anaemia, and starvation, and say that hospitals are overwhelmed and lack enough food and medicine to help.
“Hospitals can’t handle hunger-related cases anymore. There are no supplies,” said Khalil al-Deqran, a health ministry spokesperson.
Baby formula is also almost gone, according to doctors, aid workers, and residents.
UNRWA: Even Humanitarians Are Starving
The head of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA), Philippe Lazzarini, said on Tuesday that even doctors, nurses, journalists, and humanitarian workers are collapsing from hunger.
“No one is spared. Caretakers in Gaza need care too,” Lazzarini said.
Despite global calls for help, Israel controls all aid into Gaza, where most people have been displaced multiple times. The Israeli military says it is working to let aid in and blames Hamas for stealing supplies—an accusation Hamas denies.
On Tuesday, Israeli statistics showed only 146 aid trucks per day are entering Gaza—far less than the 600 trucks per day that the United States and UN say are needed to feed the population.
Many Palestinians risk their lives daily trying to get food. Over 1,000 people have been killed while trying to receive aid since May, according to UNRWA.
There has been strong global criticism of Israel’s military operations and the rising civilian death toll. On Monday, 25 Western countries condemned Israel for the “inhuman killing” of people at food distribution sites.
The European Union’s foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, warned that “all options” were being considered if Israel didn’t allow more aid—but she didn’t give details on what actions might follow. Germany refused to sign the joint statement, showing divisions within Europe.
Israel dismissed the criticism, claiming Hamas is behind violence at food sites, but gave no evidence.
Continued Violence and Suffering
As the hunger crisis worsens, the violence in Gaza continues. On Tuesday July 22, 2025:
Tank shelling killed 16 people in tents in Gaza City, according to health officials.
Israeli military strikes and gunfire killed 72 Palestinians in 24 hours.
Israel said it was not aware of the shelling incident.
So far, Israel’s assault—launched after Hamas’ deadly attack on October 7, 2023, which killed 1,200 Israelis—has killed nearly 60,000 people in Gaza, according to local health officials.
Talks in Doha Offer Little Hope
Israel and Hamas are currently in indirect talks in Doha about a potential 60-day ceasefire and hostage exchange, but no progress has been made public.
Meanwhile, ordinary Palestinians like Mohammed Jundia, who was seen carrying flour through destroyed streets in Gaza City, continue to suffer.
“We haven’t eaten in five days,” Jundia said. “Famine is killing people.”
Despite global outrage and worsening conditions, there has been no major breakthrough in negotiations or aid access. As children and families continue to starve, pressure is mounting on the international community to take stronger action—but time may be running out.
