The humanitarian crisis in Gaza continues to escalate at an alarming rate as Israeli airstrikes and starvation claim more lives daily, pushing the already devastated region further into despair. In one of the latest tragedies, the Al-Shaer family — freelance journalist Wala al-Jaabari, her husband, and their five children — were killed while they slept, victims of an airstrike that reduced their home to rubble. They had gone to bed hungry.

Their deaths are part of a grim 24-hour toll in which over 100 Palestinians were reported killed, according to Gaza health officials. Ten more died overnight from starvation, bringing the total death toll from hunger alone to 111 — a figure that continues to rise as food aid remains largely inaccessible.

Food Aid Blocked Amid Growing Hunger

The Gaza Health Ministry and the World Health Organization (WHO) have warned of a worsening famine. Since March, Israel has heavily restricted aid into the region, resulting in an 80-day lapse in food deliveries from March to May. While Israel insists it has allowed sufficient aid through and blames Hamas and UN agencies for distribution failures, humanitarian organisations on the ground tell a different story.

More than 111 international aid groups, including Mercy Corps and the Norwegian Refugee Council, have condemned the restrictions, noting that life-saving supplies remain stockpiled just outside Gaza. These supplies, they say, are inaccessible due to both bureaucratic barriers and physical danger. Since May, hundreds of Palestinians have reportedly been shot near aid distribution sites.

Ross Smith of the World Food Programme (WFP) emphasized the urgent need for safe, demilitarized zones for aid delivery, citing ongoing threats from armed actors near distribution points as a major impediment.

A Children’s Crisis

Among the starvation deaths, 21 were children under five, underscoring the war’s devastating impact on the most vulnerable. Malnutrition is rampant, and medical supplies are running out. In the face of such overwhelming need, the humanitarian system is breaking under the weight of both logistical paralysis and political obstruction.

Ongoing War and Faltering Peace Efforts

The conflict between Israel and Hamas, now approaching two years in duration, has exacted a staggering toll. Following Hamas’s 2023 attack that killed 1,200 Israelis and resulted in 251 hostages, Israel launched a prolonged military campaign that has so far killed nearly 60,000 Palestinians, displaced millions, and decimated Gaza’s infrastructure.

Despite growing international pressure, ceasefire talks remain at a standstill. U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff is expected in Europe this week for renewed discussions, with Qatar and Egypt continuing to mediate a 60-day truce proposal. Hamas is reportedly considering a response, contingent on clarity regarding Israel’s military withdrawal and aid distribution terms.

However, internal divisions within Israel’s government threaten progress. Far-right ministers have voiced fierce opposition to any deal that doesn’t guarantee the total elimination of Hamas. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich openly warned of leaving the government if any “weakness” is shown in negotiations.

A Humanitarian Emergency with No End in Sight

As Gaza’s population continues to suffer without food, shelter, or safety, the world watches a humanitarian disaster unfold in real time. With political will fractured and aid pipelines throttled, the survival of Gaza’s 2.2 million residents hangs in the balance.

This is no longer just a regional crisis — it’s a test of global conscience. Without immediate action to restore aid access, protect civilians, and secure a lasting ceasefire, the human toll will continue to mount with no end in sight.