Middle East Heartbreaking Struggle: Gaza's Most Vulnerable Face Severe Famin

[CharlieH]

 

Catastrophic hunger caused by aid blockade is most keenly felt by elderly people, the young and the destitute

 

 

UN-backed experts officially declare a famine in Gaza, highlighting the dire situation for its most vulnerable citizens.

 

In the overcrowded and rubble-strewn streets of Gaza City, the announcement of a famine by the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) has confirmed what residents have been experiencing for months. "We feel very powerless and very sick and very tired," said Amjad Shawa, director of the Palestinian NGO Network, reflecting the grim reality on the ground amid the ongoing 22-month war.

 

The IPC's report indicates that Gaza has now met three critical thresholds required for a formal famine declaration, marking only the fourth such incident since 2004. The report categorizes the famine as "entirely man-made" and warns of a potentially exponential rise in deaths without a ceasefire and an urgent restoration of essential services.

 

This devastating situation affects between 500,000 and 800,000 people residing in Gaza City, particularly targeting the elderly, young, and socially isolated. The story of displaced resident Sabah Antaiz is emblematic of broader suffering; Antaiz has hypertension, diabetes, and heart problems, and lacks food and resources. "We eat just some za’atar, cheese, or just salt with bread," she shares, illustrating the acute food shortages many face.

 

The blockade imposed by Israeli authorities has tightened since the conflict began in October 2023, including a total supply ban imposed in March and April. Although some aid has reached Gaza recently, the supplies are inadequate, with skyrocketing prices making them inaccessible to the 90% of people who lack an income. Basic necessities are increasingly out of reach, with tomatoes costing $30 per kg and sugar priced at $7.

 

Individuals like Ibtisam Saleh, who lives in a tent and must rely on sporadic aid, highlight the hardships faced by many. Saleh survives on minimal food, often just one meal a day, while dealing with health issues, including fainting spells due to hypertension.

 

Over nearly two years of conflict, the resilience of Gaza's population has been severely weakened. The prolonged displacement and deprivation mean that most residents have exhausted their resources. UN officials have expressed concern about particularly dire conditions in the north, where accurate data remains scarce.

 

Within Gaza City, families endure harsh living conditions, with many crowded into damaged apartments or makeshift tents plagued by flies, mosquitoes, and disease. Rising temperatures worsen these challenges, compounding the struggle for survival.

 

In response to the IPC’s findings, Israeli officials have disputed the famine declaration, describing it as a misinformation campaign rooted in "Hamas lies" and promoted by organisations with specific agendas. Nonetheless, the humanitarian crisis continues to escalate, with urgent calls for international intervention to address the desperate needs of Gaza’s population.

 

As the crisis deepens, the eyes of the world are on Gaza, underscoring the urgent need for action to mitigate further human suffering and stabilize the region.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Guardian 2025-08-23