Over 2.4M in Gaza face famine as Israeli blockade halts aid access

An Israeli blockade on the entry of essential goods is worsening the humanitarian situation in Gaza, with local authorities warning that more than two million people in the enclave are being slowly starved.

“Around 2.4 million Palestinians are suffering from severe and catastrophic food insecurity,” said Ismail Thawabteh, director of Gaza’s government media office, in a statement to Anadolu Agency (AA) on Tuesday.

Thawabteh emphasized that more than 90% of Gaza’s population is now entirely dependent on food assistance.

“Food aid is no longer arriving because of Israel’s closure of Gaza’s crossings and its prevention of aid entry,” he stated.

He added that dozens of bakeries have been forced to cease operations because of a lack of flour and fuel.

“International organizations and humanitarian programs have suspended support for food distribution and bakery operations. Some mobile bakeries are still functioning, but only at minimal capacity,” Thawabteh said.

Gaza, he warned, is “facing the imminent threat of famine, and parts of it are already experiencing famine conditions.”

Over 2.4M in Gaza face famine as Israeli blockade halts aid access — Palestinian children receive their portion of a hot meal at a free food distribution point in the Nuseirat refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip on April 12, 2025. (AFP Photo)

Aid access blocked despite worsening conditions

Since March 2, Israel has maintained a closure of all crossings into Gaza, effectively blocking the flow of vital humanitarian supplies. This comes amid widespread reports of famine and critical shortages of food, water, and medicine in the war-torn territory.

The Israeli military resumed its offensive in Gaza on March 18, ending a ceasefire and prisoner exchange deal that had been in place since Jan. 19.

International legal proceedings underway

Over 51,200 Palestinians—mostly women and children—have been killed in Gaza since October 2023, according to local health authorities.

In November 2024, the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant on charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity committed in Gaza.

In parallel, Israel is also facing a separate genocide case brought before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) over its conduct during the ongoing war.