Starvation Kills 101 Palestinians, Including 80 Children, Gaza Crisis Deepens/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Fifteen Palestinians, including four children, have died of starvation in Gaza within 24 hours, bringing the hunger-related death toll to 101. Aid shortages continue to devastate the population amid ongoing conflict. UNRWA warns even humanitarian workers are collapsing from hunger.
Gaza Hunger Crisis: Quick Looks
- 15 Palestinians, including an infant, died of starvation in 24 hours
- Over 101 people killed by hunger since conflict escalated
- UNRWA workers, doctors reportedly collapsing due to lack of food
- Israel denies blocking aid; accuses Hamas of diverting supplies
- 600,000 Gazans face malnutrition, including 60,000 pregnant women
- Only 146 aid trucks entering daily—well short of needed 600
- EU and 25 nations condemn “inhuman killings” of civilians
- Tank shelling, airstrikes killed 72 Palestinians in 24 hours
- Baby formula, medicine, and food critically scarce across Gaza
- Indirect truce talks in Doha show no breakthrough
Deep Look: Starvation Deaths Surge in Gaza as Humanitarian Access Falters
GAZA/CAIRO — July 22, 2025 — The deepening humanitarian catastrophe in the Gaza Strip claimed at least 15 more lives on Tuesday, including a six-week-old infant and three other children, as severe malnutrition and hunger continue to sweep the war-torn enclave. According to Gaza health officials, this marks the most intense surge in starvation deaths since the onset of Israel’s military campaign in response to the October 2023 Hamas attacks.
The infant, Yousef al-Safadi, died at Shifa Hospital in Gaza City. Another victim, 13-year-old Abdulhamid al-Ghalban, passed away in Khan Younis, with two additional children among the deceased whose names have not been released.
Starvation Becoming a Leading Cause of Death
In total, health officials report that 101 Palestinians—80 of them children—have died from starvation since the beginning of the war, with deaths increasing sharply in recent weeks. As Gaza’s infrastructure collapses under relentless bombardment, humanitarian access remains critically constrained.
UNRWA Commissioner General Philippe Lazzarini warned Tuesday that even aid workers, medical staff, and journalists are succumbing to hunger.
“Caretakers in Gaza are also in need of care. Doctors, nurses, journalists and humanitarians are hungry,” he said in a statement.
Gaza’s hospitals, already overwhelmed by war injuries, are now unable to handle the growing number of malnutrition cases due to dwindling supplies of medicine and baby formula. Khalil al-Deqran, spokesperson for Gaza’s health ministry, noted that 600,000 people are suffering from acute malnutrition, including 60,000 pregnant women.
Aid Blockages and Competing Narratives
Despite international outcry, Israel maintains that it is not obstructing aid deliveries. The Israeli military claims to be facilitating humanitarian aid in coordination with the international community and alleges that Hamas is stealing food aid—a charge Hamas denies.
Israel’s assault, which began after 1,200 Israelis were killed in Hamas-led attacks on October 7, 2023, has since resulted in nearly 60,000 Palestinian deaths, according to the Hamas-run health ministry. The numbers do not distinguish between combatants and civilians, but are broadly used by UN agencies due to the absence of alternative sources.
A deadly tank shelling incident in Gaza City killed 16 people living in tents on Tuesday. Israeli officials denied awareness of any shelling in the area.
Global Reaction Remains Tepid
International condemnation is mounting, though tangible action remains limited. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen described images of civilians killed while queuing for food as “unbearable” and urged Israel to fulfill its humanitarian commitments.
A joint statement from 25 Western nations, many of whom have supported Israel’s military objectives, condemned the “inhuman killing” of civilians in Gaza but stopped short of concrete measures. Germany notably withheld its signature from the statement.
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said all options were on the table if Israel did not allow increased aid into Gaza, though no specific consequences were outlined.
Israel dismissed the statements as “disconnected from reality,” claiming without evidence that Hamas militants were shooting at civilians near aid points.
Dire Need for More Aid
The U.S. has stated that 600 aid trucks per day are necessary to sustain Gaza’s population, yet Israel’s figures show an average of just 146 trucks per day entering the enclave during the war.
This shortage has turned daily food collection into a life-threatening endeavor. Over 1,000 Gazans have died since May while attempting to collect aid, according to UNRWA estimates.
Mohammed Jundia, a Gaza City resident, spoke while hauling a sack of flour through the ruins:
“We haven’t eaten for five days. Famine is killing people.”
Images and reports from aid warehouses show men and boys scrambling for whatever food is available amid the rubble.
Truce Talks See Little Progress
Indirect negotiations between Israel and Hamas in Doha aimed at securing a 60-day truce and hostage release deal continue with no signs of breakthrough. The persistent lack of progress highlights the ongoing impasse in diplomatic channels while conditions in Gaza continue to worsen by the hour.
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