As Israel’s blockade of Gaza enters its third month, the region grapples with a severe humanitarian crisis, marked by widespread malnutrition and a breakdown in aid distribution. The blockade, initiated on March 2, 2025, has led to a near-total halt in the flow of essential supplies, including food, water, and medical aid, exacerbating the suffering of Gaza’s 2.2 million residents.
The United Nations reports that over 65,000 children in Gaza are currently suffering from acute malnutrition, with at least 57 deaths attributed to starvation since the onset of the blockade. Hospitals are overwhelmed, and medical professionals warn that without immediate intervention, the situation could deteriorate further. Dr. Ziad al-Majaida of Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis emphasized that the lack of specialized infant formula is critical, noting that “this baby needs a specific type of milk… but because of the border closure, the stocks have run out for a while now.”
The blockade has led to the closure of numerous community kitchens and bakeries, with 25 World Food Programme-supported bakeries shutting down due to a lack of flour and cooking oil. Charitable organizations, such as Gaza Youth, have seen their operations severely impacted, with three of their four kitchens closing amid looting and dwindling supplies. Mohammad Abu Rjileh, head of Gaza Youth, stated, “If no immediate solution is implemented and the borders are not opened as soon as possible, we will be forced to stop cooking.”
The United Nations has condemned the blockade as a form of “cruel collective punishment,” urging Israel to allow humanitarian aid to reach Gaza unimpeded. However, Israeli officials maintain that the blockade is necessary to pressure Hamas into releasing hostages and to prevent weapons from entering Gaza. Boaz Bismuth, a member of Prime Minister Netanyahu’s Likud party, denied reports of widespread starvation, asserting, “There are not starving children. I repeat again.”
Israel has proposed a new plan to distribute humanitarian aid through the “Gaza Humanitarian Foundation,” with military-guarded points in southern Gaza. This plan has faced criticism from international aid agencies and the UN, who argue that it violates core humanitarian principles and could lead to forced displacement of civilians. The UN’s humanitarian director, Tom Fletcher, emphasized that “as the occupying power, Israel must allow humanitarian support in… Aid, and the civilian lives it saves, should never be a bargaining chip.”
The ongoing blockade of Gaza has precipitated a dire humanitarian crisis, with escalating malnutrition and widespread suffering. As the international community calls for immediate action to alleviate the situation, the residents of Gaza continue to endure the devastating effects of the blockade.
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