Five More Palestinians Die of Starvation in Gaza – Death Toll Rises to 222

August 11, 2025 News
More Palestinian children are facing severe consequences of malnutrition at the Nasser Hospital in Gaza. (Photo: social media, via QNN)

By Palestine Chronicle Staff  

Nearly 12,000 children in Gaza were identified as acutely malnourished in July alone, according to UNICEF.

Five more Palestinians, including a child, have died of malnutrition in the past 24 hours amidst Israel’s ongoing blockade on the Gaza Strip, the Health Ministry announced on Monday.

This brings the total number of starvation-related fatalities to 222, including 101 children, since October 2023, according to the Health Ministry.

The ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza is worsening amid a severe shortage of food and medical supplies as Israel continues to restrict the flow of aid into the enclave.

Acutely Malnourished Children

According to UNICEF, the surge in the number of children with acute malnutrition in Gaza “is staggering,” with nearly 12,000 children identified as acutely malnourished in July alone.

“That’s the highest monthly figure ever recorded,” UNICEF said on X.

In February, 2,000 children were affected, the organization noted, adding that by June, that figure tripled.

“Now it has nearly doubled again. It is clear evidence that malnutrition is accelerating rapidly, putting young lives at grave risk,” UNICEF stated.

“The pace of this deterioration is alarming, and demands an urgent, scaled-up response.”

Israel shut all crossings into Gaza in March, blocking the entry of food and other vital life-saving supplies into the enclave.

‘Starvation – Pure & Simple’ – UN

On Sunday, Ramesh Rajasingham, Director of Coordination for the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) told the UN Security Council that humanitarian conditions in Gaza “are beyond horrific” with the situation no longer “a looming hunger crisis,” but starvation.

“We have frankly run out of words to describe it.  Whatever lifelines remain are collapsing under the weight of sustained hostilities, forced displacement and insufficient levels of life-saving aid,” he stated, speaking on behalf of Tom Fletcher, Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator.

He said hunger-related deaths are rising, especially among children with severe malnutrition.

‘Grave Escalation’

Since the escalation of hostilities in October 2023, the health authorities in Gaza have documented the deaths of 98 children from severe acute malnutrition – 37 alone since July 1 – just over a month ago, Rajasingham stated.

“So, this is no longer a looming hunger crisis – this is starvation, pure and simple,” he stressed.

With No End Goal, Israel is Starving Gaza and Luring Civilians in for Target Practice

The UN official said it was “critical” that all humanitarian partners on the ground, including international humanitarian organizations, are allowed to deliver life-saving services.

He also said Israel’s decision to expand military operations in Gaza “marks a grave escalation in a conflict that has already inflicted unimaginable suffering.”

‘Inaction, Silence Are Complicity’ – UNRWA

UNRWA on Monday reiterated its demand for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.

“Inaction and silence are complicity. It’s time for statements to turn into action and for an immediate ceasefire,” the UN agency said on X.

UNRWA emphasized that children in Gaza “are dying from starvation and bombardments, with entire families, neighbourhoods, and a generation “being wiped out.”

Staggering Death Toll

Since Israel’s reneging on the ceasefire on March 18, it has killed and wounded thousands of Palestinians throughout the Gaza Strip through a bloody and ongoing aerial bombardment.

On October 7, 2023, following a Palestinian Resistance operation in southern Israel, the Israeli military launched a genocidal war against the Palestinians, killing over 61,000, wounding more than 153,000, with over 14,000 still missing.

What Gaza Needs to Overcome the Israeli-Imposed Famine

Despite habitual condemnation by many countries around the world of the Israeli genocide, little has been done to hold Israel accountable.

Israel is currently under investigation for the crime of genocide by the International Court of Justice, while accused war criminals — including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu — are now officially wanted by the International Criminal Court.

The Israeli genocide has been largely defended, supported, and financed by Washington and a few other Western powers.

(The Palestine Chronicle)

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