The humanitarian situation in Gaza has reached catastrophic levels as the conflict continues into its fifteenth month, with UN officials warning that the civilian population faces imminent starvation. The World Food Programme reported on December 24, 2025, that virtually no food aid has entered northern Gaza for nearly two months, leaving hundreds of thousands of people with almost nothing to eat as winter sets in.
According to the latest assessment from international aid organizations, over 90 percent of Gaza's 2.3 million residents are facing acute food insecurity, with many areas experiencing famine-like conditions. The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification, the global standard for measuring hunger, has classified large portions of the territory as being in Phase 5 emergency status—the highest and most severe level.
The blockade of humanitarian corridors has prevented relief organizations from delivering essential supplies including food, medicine, and clean water. Aid workers have described scenes of desperation at distribution points, with families traveling long distances through dangerous conditions only to find that supplies have run out. Children are particularly vulnerable, with malnutrition rates among young children reaching alarming levels.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres renewed his call for an immediate ceasefire and unimpeded humanitarian access, stating that "the deliberate obstruction of aid is unacceptable and may constitute a violation of international humanitarian law." Several countries have also called for accountability, demanding investigations into whether the blocking of food supplies amounts to the use of starvation as a weapon of war.
Medical facilities in Gaza have reported critical shortages of supplies needed to treat malnutrition cases, with many hospitals forced to operate at minimal capacity due to lack of fuel for generators. The healthcare system, already decimated by over a year of conflict, is struggling to cope with the mounting health crisis.
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