Death Toll from Starvation in Gaza Rises to 339 as Humanitarian Crisis Deepens

Kokcha News Agency – The death toll from starvation in the Gaza Strip has reached 339, with 124 of the victims being children, according to the latest report from the Palestinian Health Ministry in Gaza. In the past 24 hours alone, seven more Palestinians have died due to hunger and malnutrition, highlighting the severity of the crisis.

The Gaza Strip, which has been under a tight Israeli blockade and constant military attacks, is experiencing a catastrophic humanitarian situation. The United Nations-supported Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) recently confirmed that Gaza is facing “Level 5” famine conditions, the highest level of food insecurity, characterized by starvation, destitution, and death.

The IPC report stated that over half a million people in Gaza are now living under “catastrophic” conditions, with limited access to food, water, medicine, and hygiene supplies. The ongoing conflict, now in its 22nd month, has destroyed 88% of Gaza’s infrastructure, leaving the majority of the population displaced and struggling to survive in overcrowded shelters and makeshift tents.

Local and international organizations have accused Israel of using “hunger and thirst as weapons” against the Palestinian population. The Israeli military continues to target civilian areas, including tents and shelters where displaced Palestinians are seeking refuge, further worsening the crisis.

With a population of approximately 2.3 million, nearly 2 million Gazans have been displaced due to Israeli attacks and evacuation orders. Many have been forced to move multiple times, living in unsanitary conditions with inadequate access to clean water, hygiene facilities, and medical supplies. Infectious diseases are spreading rapidly, adding to the already dire situation.