Tunisian leader displays images of malnourished children from Gaza to Trump advisor
In the Palestinian territory, the humanitarian situation is dire, with a severe and escalating hunger crisis, widespread malnutrition, mass displacement, and high civilian casualties. Over two million people have endured 21 months of devastating conflict.
The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) reports that about a third of Gaza’s population has gone multiple days without food. The situation is so dire that a quarter of the population is facing famine-like conditions, with nearly 100,000 women and children suffering from severe acute malnutrition requiring urgent treatment.
The Hamas-run Gaza Ministry of Health reports that deaths from hunger complications continue, with 113 people, including 81 children, having died since October 2023. Aid workers and doctors inside Gaza describe heartbreaking testimonials of parents unable to feed their children, and very limited capacity at malnutrition stabilization centers due to overcrowding.
Tragic incidents have been reported, including civilians killed while awaiting food aid convoy deliveries. These incidents are described as avoidable and exacerbating the humanitarian emergency.
Hamas is accused of stealing food handouts to sell at inflated prices or shooting at those awaiting aid. Israel alleges that humanitarian aid is being allowed into Gaza, but accuses Hamas of exploiting civilian suffering. Israel is facing mounting international pressure over the catastrophic humanitarian situation in the Palestinian territory.
The UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) has expressed concerns that Israeli military actions are inflicting conditions on Palestinians in Gaza incompatible with their continued existence. This raises questions about potential violations of international humanitarian law.
Israel and U.S. officials reject accusations of causing famine deliberately. Israeli government spokespeople acknowledge a man-made shortage but attribute this to Hamas’s role in the conflict and security concerns. Israel states that humanitarian aid convoys are waiting at crossings (with reportedly 950 trucks staged) and that efforts such as aid airdrops have resumed to alleviate suffering, though the Israeli Defense Forces control 75% of Gaza territory, complicating access.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas told US envoy Massad Boulos that it is time for humanity to end the crimes against the Palestinian people. Boulos, who is also the father-in-law of Trump’s daughter Tiffany, visited Tunisia and then flew to the Libyan capital Tripoli on Wednesday. During their conversation, Boulos was shown several images by Abbas, claiming Palestinians in Gaza are subjected to crimes against humanity.
The situation is so dire that even a child in occupied Palestine can be seen crying and eating sand, as depicted in a photograph shown to Boulos by Abbas. The current situation in Gaza is absolutely unacceptable, and it is time for the international community to take action to alleviate the suffering of the Palestinian people.
[1] UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), (2025). Humanitarian Bulletin: Gaza Strip. [Online] Available at: https://www.ochaopt.org/content/humanitarian-bulletin-gaza-strip-18-july-2025
[2] UN World Food Programme (WFP), (2025). The situation in Gaza: A hunger crisis unfolding before our eyes. [Online] Available at: https://www.wfp.org/news/situation-gaza-hunger-crisis-unfolding-our-eyes
[3] Al Jazeera, (2025). Gaza's children face malnutrition as aid convoys stalled. [Online] Available at: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/7/1/gaza-children-face-malnutrition-as-aid-convoys-stalled
[4] Middle East Eye, (2025). Gaza deaths from hunger: UN warns of mass starvation as Israeli blockade continues. [Online] Available at: https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/gaza-deaths-hunger-un-warns-mass-starvation-israeli-blockade-continues
- The humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip is so severe, a third of its population goes multiple days without food, as reported by the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP).
- UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) has expressed concerns that Israeli military actions are inflicting conditions on Palestinians in Gaza incompatible with their continued existence.
- Recent reports in the Middle East Eye suggest that the Israel-imposed blockade on Gaza continues to fuel a mass starvation crisis, with 113 people, including 81 children, having died since October 2023 due to hunger complications.
- Al Jazeera reports that aid workers and doctors inside Gaza describe heartbreaking testimonials of parents unable to feed their children and very limited capacity at malnutrition stabilization centers due to overcrowding.
- Amid mounting international pressure over the desperate humanitarian situation in the Palestinian territory, Israeli government officials reject accusations of causing famine deliberately, while UN resources such as the OCHA and WFP provide regular updates on the ongoing crisis in general-news sources.
