Warnings of Mass Death in Gaza Due to Israel’s Ongoing Blockade
Gaza (Quds News Network)- Officials in Gaza have issued a stark warning about an imminent humanitarian catastrophe, citing worsening famine, a collapsing health system, and total border closures that have continued for 55 consecutive days. According to the Gaza Government Media Office, more than 2.4 million Palestinians are now at risk of death due to the total Israeli blockade that has prevented the entry of food, water, fuel, and medical supplies.
In a statement released Friday, officials described the situation as “mass death in progress,” saying famine is no longer a risk but an ongoing reality. The Ministry of Health in Gaza has confirmed at least 52 hunger-related deaths, including 50 children. Health authorities say more than 60,000 children are suffering from severe acute malnutrition, while over one million others face daily hunger that is impacting their physical development and overall health.
The blockade, which began on March 2, has led to a full-scale breakdown in public infrastructure. Hospitals have closed due to damage, fuel shortages, or lack of supplies. Water desalination plants and pumping stations have gone offline, leaving large portions of the population without clean drinking water. The complete closure of bakeries due to the lack of flour and fuel has further compounded the food crisis. Fuel needed to power generators, ambulances, and medical equipment has also run out.
International humanitarian organizations have issued urgent appeals for intervention. The World Food Programme confirmed on Friday that its food stockpiles in Gaza have been depleted. The International Committee of the Red Cross said that food has become extremely scarce and unaffordable for the majority of Gaza’s population. The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) reported that around 500,000 people have been newly displaced in the last month alone, and that less than a third of Gaza remains habitable. UNRWA also noted that the remaining areas are fragmented, overcrowded, and unsafe.
The United Nations Human Rights Office has described the situation as a severe humanitarian breakdown, citing the full blockade and repeated military operations as key factors contributing to the collapse of civilian life. According to the World Bank, nearly all of Gaza’s population now depends on humanitarian aid after more than 18 months of Israeli attacks and economic deterioration.
Local authorities have called for the immediate opening of safe humanitarian corridors to allow the entry of life-saving aid. They are also urging the formation of independent international committees to investigate Israel’s deliberate policy of starvation and collective punishment.
Meanwhile, the violence continues. The Gaza Ministry of Health reported that 84 people were killed and 168 injured during Israeli airstrikes over the past 24 hours. Since October 7, 2023, the death toll in Gaza has reached 51,439, with more than 117,000 people wounded.
Officials in Gaza say the window to avert mass civilian death is rapidly closing. They warn that any further delay in humanitarian intervention may result in large-scale fatalities and long-term health consequences for the entire population.
