War with Hamas and soaring cost of living push 2.8 million Israelis — including 1.3 million children — into nutritional crisis.
More than a quarter of Israeli families are facing food insecurity as the country’s two-year war with Hamas and a rising cost of living deepen economic strain, according to a new report released by the non-profit Latet.
The July survey revealed that 2.8 million Israelis — or 32.1% of the population — struggle to maintain proper nutrition, including 1.3 million children. This marks a sharp rise from 24.9% in 2024, highlighting what Latet CEO Eran Weintrob called a “serious red warning” for Israeli society.
Food insecurity, defined as the inability to guarantee consistent access to balanced nutrition, is linked to both malnutrition and obesity, and increases vulnerability to diseases. Latet warned that the crisis now extends beyond disadvantaged families to the lower middle class, many of whom are seeing incomes collapse due to war, reserve duty, and the high cost of basic goods.
Israel ranks fourth in the OECD for cost of living, and its economy contracted by 4% in the April–June quarter following June’s brief war with Iran. The downturn has compounded the pressures of the ongoing conflict in Gaza, leaving food aid organizations overwhelmed as demand surges and donations decline.
Latet President Gilles Darmon urged the government to establish a national authority dedicated to fighting poverty and food insecurity, stressing that systemic action is critical to preventing deeper socio-economic collapse.