More than 100 non-governmental organizations, including Oxfam and Médecins Sans Frontières, issued a joint statement on July 22, 2025, raising alarm over a “mass starvation” crisis engulfing Gaza, where 2.3 million people face severe food shortages.
The warning comes 21 months into an ongoing conflict, with the NGOs reporting that 90% of the population relies on humanitarian aid, yet only 20% of needed supplies reach the region due to Israeli restrictions and logistical challenges. They estimate 500,000 people are at imminent risk of famine, with child malnutrition rates soaring to 30% in northern Gaza.
The statement calls for an immediate ceasefire and unhindered aid access, citing UN data showing a 75% reduction in food imports since 2023. Israel’s government defends its security measures, arguing that aid diversion by Hamas necessitates strict controls, a claim supported by some Western allies but contested by the NGOs, who highlight documented cases of aid trucks being delayed or destroyed.
The narrative splits between humanitarian urgency and security concerns, with the crisis’s scale, exacerbated by a 50% drop in water supply, underscoring the need for independent verification amid conflicting reports.
