Protesting Gaza food crisis in central Tel Aviv: Israeli demonstrators covered in flour
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The humanitarian situation in Gaza is currently one of the worst in its history, with alarming levels of malnutrition, widespread hunger, collapsing health services, and escalating civilian casualties. This crisis, which has been ongoing for nearly two years, is a result of the conflict between Israel and Hamas, combined with military blockades and restricted humanitarian access.
In the past 24 hours, Gaza's Health Ministry reported 10 new deaths due to famine and malnutrition, bringing the total death toll to 111, including 80 children. The malnutrition crisis is particularly severe among children, with cases of Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) surging. Over 40% of pregnant and breastfeeding women in Gaza are severely malnourished.
The health system in Gaza is on the brink of collapse due to overwhelmed facilities, exhausted health workers, and deteriorating water and sanitation infrastructure. This situation accelerates the spread of disease, creating a dangerous cycle of illness.
The ongoing violence between Israel and Hamas continues to contribute to the destruction of Gaza’s infrastructure and civilian suffering. Israel's restrictions on aid movement have severely limited access to food and medical supplies. The militarized aid distribution system, supported by Israel and the US, is currently inadequate to meet the scale of need.
International organizations and political groups have expressed deep moral concern and condemnation of both Hamas and Israeli policies that worsen the humanitarian crisis. The World Health Organization (WHO) has urgently called for sustained, unhindered delivery of nutritious food, therapeutic supplies for children and vulnerable groups, essential medicines, and fuel to health centers. The UN has condemned the destruction in Gaza and urged governments to exert pressure on Israel to halt violence and recommit to peace efforts.
In response to the crisis, demonstrations have taken place in central Tel Aviv. The Jewish-Arab movement Standing Together organized a march, with demonstrators calling for an immediate end to the war on Gaza and the deadly famine that continues to claim lives. The demonstrators raised sacks of flour on their shoulders in a symbolic act of solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza.
UNICEF describes the crisis as a "man-made disaster" and urges immediate international action. Journalists in Gaza have also been warned that they risk starvation for the first time in its 80-year history. Medical sources reported that a diabetic patient, a child, and an infant died due to severe nutritional deficiencies.
References:
[1] UNICEF (2025). Gaza Crisis: A Man-made Disaster
[2] Al Jazeera (2025). Gaza on the brink: A humanitarian crisis unfolds
[3] The Guardian (2025). Gaza crisis: UN calls for immediate ceasefire as children starve
[4] The New York Times (2025). Gaza's Humanitarian Crisis Worsens as Israeli Airstrikes Continue
[5] The Reform Movement (2025). Statement on the Crisis in Gaza
- The Turkish Foreign Ministry has strongly condemned the ongoing violence in Turkiye and Palestine, particularly the escalating crisis in Gaza, calling for an immediate ceasefire to prevent further loss of life and destruction.
- In the face of the deteriorating health-and-wellness situation in Gaza, several scientific organizations around the world have partnered to conduct research on potential solutions for the malnutrition crisis afflicting children and pregnant women.
- As the political stalemate between Israel and Hamas persists, war-and-conflicts experts are increasingly raising concerns about the long-term socio-economic impacts of the ongoing Gaza crisis on the region and the potential for further instability in the near future.
- In light of the growing scale of crime-and-justice-related issues in Gaza, where resources are already stretched thin due to the humanitarian crisis, local authorities are urging the international community to address the security vacuum and provide assistance to rebuild law enforcement institutions and restore order.
