On July 28, 2025, health officials with Hamas’ Ministry of Health reported 14 cases of malnutrition deaths across Gaza in recent days, which comes amid worsening humanitarian needs due to months of intense fighting in this besieged enclave.
On Monday, it was announced that at least 21 Palestinians have died as a result of prolonged starvation and collapsed medical services; most victims resided in northern Gaza where aid deliveries are often interrupted by military activity. Gaza’s Ministry of Health reported this information, leading to renewed global calls for immediate humanitarian access and de-escalation measures.
Dr. Majdi Hamdan, the Ministry’s spokesperson, noted: “These deaths could have been prevented,” noting the direct effect food insecurity and medical isolation were having on civilians – especially children and those suffering chronic illnesses.
Situation on the ground has become catastrophic. According to UN and international NGOs, over half of Gaza’s 2.2 million residents are facing catastrophic food insecurity conditions with many only receiving one meal daily or even less.
As part of its response to mounting international pressure, Israel announced a partial military pause on humanitarian routes in select areas of northern Gaza in order to facilitate food and medical aid deliveries. According to IDF statement, these localized and time-limited tactical pauses would occur daily from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. along a corridor between Kerem Shalom crossing and Gaza City.
“The humanitarian pause does not indicate a ceasefire,” clarified IDF spokesman Lt. Col. Nadav Goren. Combat operations against Hamas will still continue where threats persist; instead, this pause exists solely to allow aid deliveries reach civilians.”
But aid groups remain wary. Organizations like World Food Programme (WFP) and Doctors Without Borders (MSF) caution that such temporary measures don’t suffice in responding to the scale of crisis; one WFP field officer based near Rafah noted, “we appreciate any effort to deliver aid,” adding: “but consistent access, not temporary windows is what’s needed here.”
Even after partially opening humanitarian corridors, truck deliveries to Gaza remain slow and unpredictable. On Sunday alone, only 60 aid trucks entered Gaza — far below what humanitarian agencies claim are required each day for stabilizing operations in Gaza.
Since its revival in late 2024, Gaza’s ongoing conflict has devastated its infrastructure. Hospitals are operating with limited capacity due to fuel shortages; most bakeries and food warehouses have been destroyed or cleared out; water desalination plants remain offline in many regions, further compounding health risks.
While international diplomatic efforts continue, Egypt and Qatar are playing an active role. Egypt is mediating indirect talks between Israel and Hamas to negotiate longer humanitarian pauses while the UN calls on all parties to prioritize civilian protection.
As the humanitarian crisis worsens in Gaza, its residents find themselves waiting–sometimes in vain–for aid that may never arrive in time.
Leave a Reply