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Gaza is a small region located on the eastern coast of the Mediterranean sea. Gaza has been the centre of political conflict for many years and beyond the headlines of War and politics there is another side to the story, the story that involves hunger, suffering and survival. Today while we are not aware people in Gaza are facing starvation, children are going to bed hungry and parents are struggling to find food, and humanitarian aid is not reaching everyone who needs it.

Gaza is a part of palestinian land which is home to about 2.2 million people. Gaza is one of the most densely populated areas in the world. Over the years, Gaza has witnessed every horrific action one human could think of. The history of Gaza has been affected by the conflicts of Israel and Egypt. The conflicts have highly limited the movement of people, goods and resources in and out the area. People don’t even have the basic necessity of survival. Gaza has always been in the spotlight for war and dirty politics. But in 2023 and 2024 the violence has reached its peak. After a surprise attack from Hamas on Israel in October 2023, Israel launched a massive military response which has now turned into modern genocide. Since then, airstrikes, ground battles and destruction of homes and infrastructure have made life for Gaza residents living hell.

October 2023 at least 66 children have died as a direct result of starvation and malnutrition related conditions and this figure does not include the many more children who have died as a result of preventable diseases exacerbated by malnutrition.

And these victims include 4 month old baby Jinan Iskafi who tragically passed away on 3rd of May 2025. According to her medical report reviewed by Amnesty International, Jinan was diagnosed with marasmus, a severe form of protein, chronic diarrhea and suspected case of immuno deficiency.

And only god and the only suffering know how many Jinan are out there dying because of insufficient nutrients.

Reasons why the starvation is occurring they are 4 main reasons:

Blocked and closed border

The blockade in Gaza is not a new thing. The blockade has taken place in Gaza for over 15 years. And these blockades have restricted the entry of food, medicine, fuel and other supplies.

After the war began in October 2023 the situation worsened. Border crossings were closed for long periods and humanitarian aid trucks were often delayed or turned away.

Destruction of farms and markets

Most farms and markets, bakeries and food storage houses have been destroyed during the conflict. This has made it almost impossible for people to grow or buy food locally.

Displacement

Over one million people have been forced to leave their homes. Many of them live in shelters or tents where food is limited and conditions are unsanitary. That too with a fear of being bombed while asleep.

Not enough aid

Even though the United Nations and many organisations are trying to send food and other supplies, the amount reaching Gaza is not nearly enough for people who need it. According to Alzazeera, people in Gaza are surviving on a single piece of bread every single day.

6. The threat

The people who are actually trying to take the food or supplies Israeli forces are shooting people and bombing the places where people are taking shelter. And those who make it through the gun shootings, people are crushed in stampede.

The result of these conditions is a humanitarian emergency. According to the United Nations and aid groups, Gaza is facing famine. Famine is the most extreme form of hunger, where people die because they have no access to food.

Children are the most vulnerable. Many are suffering from malnutrition, which means they don’t get the right nutrients to grow and stay healthy. Some babies have been born underweight, and some have died because they didn’t get enough milk or formula.

Parents are skipping meals so their children can eat. Some families go days without proper food. In some reports, people said they survived on only a few bites of bread a day.

Hospitals are overwhelmed. Malnourished people, especially children, need special care and treatment. But many hospitals are damaged, and supplies are running out.

One mother in Gaza told reporters: “I have five children, and I cannot feed them. I never thought I would see my children cry not because of bombs, but because of hunger.”

The World Food Program is attempting to assist. They are delivering medical supplies, tents, and food trucks. Some nations have also used convoys or airdrops to deliver aid. Aid workers, however, claim it is insufficient. The war makes it difficult to reach too many people in need of assistance. Aid convoys are occasionally blocked or bombed. Gaza is "on the brink of total collapse," according to the World Health Organization. A ceasefire, which would mean that both sides stop fighting so that aid can safely reach people, is what some peace organizations are urging. In order to allow more food and supplies to enter Gaza, some are calling for the blockade to be lifted or at least loosened.

Starvation in Gaza is not just a story of hunger—it is a story of suffering, survival, and the need for urgent help. The people of Gaza are not just victims of war; they are human beings with hopes, dreams, and the right to live in dignity. As the world watches, we must not turn away. We must listen, care, and act. Because no child should ever have to go to bed hungry—not in Gaza, not anywhere.