Israel’s ongoing offensive, mass displacement, and blocked aid have plunged Gaza into a humanitarian catastrophe, with thousands of children among the dead and famine looming.
DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip — Over 60,000 Palestinians have been killed in the 21-month Israel-Hamas war, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry, as airstrikes and aid blockades continue to devastate the region. The updated death toll—60,034 killed and 145,870 wounded—includes 18,592 children and 9,782 women, underscoring the massive civilian toll of the conflict.
The Health Ministry, which is part of the Hamas-run government, remains the primary source of casualty figures. While Israel disputes the numbers, it has not released its own full accounting. The United Nations and humanitarian groups continue to treat the ministry’s data as the most reliable available.
Aid Convoys Attacked, Hunger Worsens
On Monday night, Israeli airstrikes on displaced persons in the Nuseirat refugee camp killed 30 people, including 12 children and 14 women, according to Al-Awda Hospital. Israeli forces also reportedly opened fire near an aid convoy in southern Gaza, killing 33 more people. Witnesses and health officials say this brings the total toll near the aid convoy to 58.
On Tuesday, another 14 Palestinians were reportedly killed near a humanitarian aid facility run by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF). The Israeli military has not commented on any of these incidents, while GHF denied violence near its site that day.
According to the UN human rights office, more than 1,000 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli fire while trying to access aid since May. Israel claims its forces only use warning shots when people approach them.
‘Epic Proportions’ of Catastrophe
The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) warns that Gaza is teetering on the edge of famine. The breakdown of law and order, combined with Israeli restrictions, has made safe aid delivery nearly impossible. The World Health Organization (WHO) confirmed over 60 hunger-related deaths this month alone, including 24 children under five.
“The facts are in — and they are undeniable,” said UN Secretary-General António Guterres. “Palestinians in Gaza are enduring a humanitarian catastrophe of epic proportions.”
Despite Israel announcing expanded humanitarian corridors and international airdrops, UN officials report little improvement. Aid from Jordan, the UAE, France, and Germany has largely missed its targets, falling in restricted “red zones” or the Mediterranean Sea.
UN agencies criticize the use of airdrops as ineffective and dangerous, with some parcels causing injuries or deadly stampedes.
International Pressure Mounts
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar denied accusations that Israel is using hunger as a weapon of war, claiming the focus on the famine is part of a “distorted campaign of international pressure.”
“This pressure is directly sabotaging the chances for a ceasefire and hostage deal,” he said.
Negotiations over a ceasefire and hostage release have stalled, with both the U.S. and Israel recalling their negotiating teams. Hamas militants killed 1,200 Israelis and took 251 hostages during their October 7, 2023 attack, triggering Israel’s full-scale military response. Around 50 hostages remain in captivity, with 20 believed to be alive.
The war intensified in March 2025 when Israel imposed a total blockade of Gaza, halting all food, fuel, and medical aid. Since then, at least 8,867 Palestinians have been killed. Although some restrictions were eased in May, UN agencies say the trickle of aid remains dangerously insufficient.
Civilian Toll and Health Collapse
Health officials report that Gaza’s population—largely displaced and lacking clean water, shelter, or healthcare—is now succumbing to otherwise preventable diseases. Children are dying not only from direct strikes but also from malnutrition, untreated infections, and trauma. The health system is barely functioning under siege conditions.
“This is not a war against militants—it is a war against a population,” said a relief worker in central Gaza. “And the world is watching.”
With 90% of Gaza’s population displaced and entire neighborhoods leveled, aid workers warn that unless full access is restored, the death toll will continue to rise—both from bombs and from hunger.