Gaza Child Dies of Starvation as Humanitarian Crisis Deepens
A four-year-old girl has died of starvation in the Gaza Strip, highlighting the catastrophic humanitarian situation exacerbated by the ongoing conflict and restrictions on aid. Razan Abu Zaher passed away in Deir al-Balah due to severe malnutrition and hunger, according to medical sources at Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital, marking a grim milestone in the crisis.
The death of Razan Abu Zaher underscores the severity of the situation, with reports indicating a rising death toll from starvation, particularly among children. In the last 24 hours, 18 civilians in Gaza have reportedly died due to hunger, bringing the total reported hunger-related deaths to 86, including 76 children, predominantly in northern Gaza.
Rising Death Toll from Starvation and Violence at Aid Sites
The Gaza civil defense agency has reported a concerning increase in infant deaths attributed to "severe hunger and malnutrition." They noted at least three such deaths in the past week stemming from starvation, a lack of baby formula, and the absence of basic healthcare services. This reflects the collapse of essential services amid the ongoing crisis.
Compounding the tragedy, Israeli forces reportedly killed at least 115 Palestinians across Gaza on July 20, with a significant number of these deaths occurring as people were waiting for food aid. The number of people killed while attempting to access food relief since May has now surpassed 900, according to reports.
Mass Casualties at Aid Distribution Hubs
On July 19, at least 32 Palestinians were reportedly shot dead by Israeli troops while trying to obtain food from distribution hubs operated by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) in southern Gaza. This incident underscores the extreme desperation and danger faced by civilians in their struggle to secure basic necessities.
UN Officials Sound the Alarm on Child Mortality and Malnutrition
Addressing the UN Security Council on July 16, UN officials, including UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell, painted a dire picture of the situation. They reported that an average of 28 children are killed in Gaza every day, and over 17,000 children have been killed and 33,000 injured over the past 21 months of war. Starvation rates among children reached alarming levels in June, with over 5,800 diagnosed with acute malnutrition.
OHCHR Reports Hundreds Killed While Seeking Food
The UN human rights office (OHCHR) reported on July 15 that nearly 900 desperate Gazans have been killed in recent weeks while attempting to fetch food. Most of these deaths are linked to private aid hubs run by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF). As of July 13, 2025, 875 people had been killed trying to get food, with 674 of them near GHF sites.
Attacks on Civilians Seeking Essential Resources
On July 14, UNICEF mourned the death of seven children killed while queuing for water in central Gaza due to an Israeli airstrike. This incident followed similar tragedies where women and children were killed while lining up for nutritional supplies, highlighting the extreme vulnerability of civilians seeking essential resources.
UN Agencies Warn of Humanitarian Operations Ceasing Due to Fuel Shortages
On July 12, UN agencies, including UNRWA, issued a joint statement warning that humanitarian operations in Gaza would likely cease entirely without adequate fuel. This would have a catastrophic impact on all essential services, further endangering the lives of civilians.
Hospitals Overwhelmed Amidst Severe Shortages
Hospitals in Gaza are overwhelmed, treating hundreds of patients suffering from extreme exhaustion and hunger-related illnesses. These facilities face severe shortages of beds, medicine, and essential supplies, compounding the already dire situation.
Aid Blockade Intensifies the Crisis
The current crisis has been significantly worsened by an Israeli near-total aid blockade, which began on March 2, 2025. Since this date, UNRWA has been prevented from bringing in humanitarian assistance, including food. This has severely restricted the availability of essential supplies, leading to increased malnutrition and starvation.
Malnutrition Rates Soar Among Children
In May 2025, over 5,000 children were diagnosed with malnutrition in Gaza, representing a 150% increase from February. The situation continued to deteriorate, with more than 5,800 children diagnosed with malnutrition in June, including over 1,000 with severe acute malnutrition. This marked the fourth consecutive month of increasing malnutrition rates.
Roots of the Crisis
The current conflict, which began on October 7, 2023, has been a major catalyst for the severe humanitarian crisis. The ongoing military actions and restrictions on aid have created a desperate situation for civilians in Gaza.
Accusations and International Condemnation
The primary controversy revolves around accusations that Israel is throttling the food supply and imposing a blockade, which aid organizations and international bodies argue is intentionally creating famine-like conditions. Israel maintains that Hamas diverts aid, an accusation denied by the UN. The militarization of aid distribution points and reports of Israeli forces opening fire on desperate crowds seeking food have further fueled controversy and widespread international condemnation from humanitarian organizations, the UN, and various governments, urging for immediate and unhindered access for humanitarian aid.
