The United Nations has issued a dire warning about Gaza's humanitarian situation, describing it as "beyond catastrophic" amid escalating casualties and a near-total collapse of agricultural infrastructure. According to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), only 1.5% of Gaza's farmland remains accessible and undamaged, leaving the territory on the brink of famine.
OCHA reported that five malnutrition-related deaths occurred in the past 24 hours, bringing the total to approximately 200 since the crisis intensified. Half of these fatalities were children. Basic food items like sugar now cost $170 for a 57-gram bag, while eggs, poultry, and meat have vanished from markets entirely.
A recent Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) satellite survey revealed that 86.1% of Gaza's farmland is damaged, with just 2.3 square kilometers still functional. FAO Director-General Qu Dongyu emphasized that famine risks stem not from food scarcity but from blocked access and collapsed local food systems. "The right to food is a basic human right," he stated, urging immediate humanitarian intervention.
Limited aid convoys carrying rice, sugar, and vegetables entered Gaza this week, but OCHA stressed that sustained access remains critical to prevent further loss of life. The UN continues to call for safe passage for medical teams and aid workers as casualties mount near shelters and convoy routes.
