Over 95 percent of Gaza’s population is unable to afford basic food in markets, according to Gaza’s Government Media Office. In a statement, the office warned that the situation has reached catastrophic levels as families no longer have money or a stable source of income to purchase essential foodstuffs.
“Among the most vital food items that the occupation prohibits from entering the Gaza Strip are eggs, red and white meat, fish, cheese, dairy products, fruits, vegetables, nutritional supplements, and dozens of other items,” the Media Office said.
The statement condemned what it described as a deliberate “starvation policy” imposed on Gaza. It placed full responsibility on Israel, the US administration, and allied countries that it accused of supporting the blockade and contributing to the humanitarian crisis.
Families Struggle as Food Disappears
Images and reports from inside Gaza reveal the severe human toll of the restrictions. At Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, mothers arrive daily with children suffering from acute malnutrition. One widely shared image shows Islam Qudeih holding her two-year-old daughter, Shamm, who is severely underweight. Doctors say such cases have become common, with many families left without access to protein or even basic carbohydrates.
The Media Office stressed that even when limited quantities of food reach markets, families cannot afford them. Prices have skyrocketed due to the blockade, and most residents have lost all means of income after months of war and destruction of infrastructure.
Israel Allowing Just 14 Percent of Food Supplies
In a follow-up statement, Gaza’s Government Media Office revealed that Israel has allowed only 14 percent of the required food supplies into the enclave over the past month. This has left an 86 percent shortfall in aid and deepened the crisis.
“The Israeli occupation authorities continue to commit a systematic starvation crime against the population of the Gaza Strip,” the office declared. It reported that the number of deaths caused by hunger and malnutrition has risen to 313 people, including 119 children.
The restrictions have hit vulnerable groups hardest. Children, the sick, and the elderly remain most at risk, with hospitals reporting daily deaths from malnutrition-related complications. Aid groups say food deliveries are consistently blocked, while crossings remain sealed.
430 Essential Items Banned
The Media Office accused Israel of banning the entry of 430 essential food and medical items. Among them are staples such as flour, rice, pulses, cooking oil, and fresh produce. Nutritional supplements for infants and patients are also barred.
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The blockade has forced residents to survive on extremely limited diets, often consisting of little more than bread or boiled herbs. International aid organizations warn that this situation cannot be sustained and risks creating a generation of children who suffer long-term physical and cognitive damage.
Israeli Military Expands Offensive
Meanwhile, Israel has intensified its military offensive in northern Gaza. The Israeli army said soldiers from the Givati Brigade have been fighting in Jabalia and the outskirts of Gaza City.
In a statement, the army claimed to have eliminated a “terrorist cell” and discovered a weapons storage facility. “The activity of the troops on the outskirts of Gaza City enables the expansion of operations deeper into the area and prevents the entrenchment of terrorist organisations in the region,” the military said.
The push toward Gaza City, home to nearly a million displaced people, has raised fears of further civilian casualties. International observers warn that the simultaneous blockade of food and escalation of military operations could trigger another wave of forced displacement.
International Condemnation Grows
The growing starvation crisis has fueled widespread condemnation of Israel’s blockade. Human rights groups accuse Israel of weaponizing food supplies against civilians, while UN agencies have repeatedly warned of famine.
Global calls for an immediate ceasefire and unrestricted humanitarian access have grown louder. However, aid groups say their convoys remain blocked at the border, with only small quantities of aid allowed in.
The Government Media Office insisted that the crisis is not the result of food shortages in global markets but of deliberate restrictions on Gaza. “We strongly condemn the starvation policy pursued by the occupation,” it said, warning that without urgent intervention, the number of hunger-related deaths will continue to rise sharply.
Humanitarian Disaster Unfolds
As Gaza’s crisis deepens, families are left facing impossible choices. With markets stocked with food that most cannot afford and aid convoys trapped at sealed crossings, the humanitarian disaster shows no sign of easing.
For the 95 percent of residents unable to buy basic items, daily survival has become uncertain. Aid agencies caution that unless restrictions are lifted immediately, famine in Gaza will move from imminent threat to grim reality.
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