UNICEF warns of catastrophic famine: Bombs flow into Gaza more than food

James Elder, UNICEF spokesperson currently on an official mission in Khan Yunis, described the situation in Gaza as “horrific, grim, and extremely harsh.” He emphasized that Palestinian families are struggling daily to provide even a single meal for their children, while “more bombs and missiles are entering Gaza than food.”

In a statement to Anadolu Agency, Elder noted that the ongoing Israeli blockade, enforced since the closure of border crossings on March 2, has pushed over 2.4 million Palestinians toward famine — a deliberate starvation campaign the United Nations describes as amounting to a policy of forced displacement.

He explained that the relative calm following discussions of a temporary ceasefire had brought some hope, with limited aid inflows and slight improvements in food and water access. However, this was short-lived, as the situation “quickly reverted to a catastrophic siege, dragging Gaza back into hunger, bombardment, and displacement.”

According to Gaza’s Government Media Office, Israel has deliberately driven 2.4 million Palestinians into famine by shutting down crossings and blocking humanitarian aid — especially food — since March 2, in what the UN deems forced displacement through starvation.

Mothers fasting to feed their children

Elder said, “People in Gaza live under bombardment at night and flee from hunger by day. Everything we know about human endurance has been shattered.” Families are being forced to flee repeatedly and have been living in tents for over six months, under constant tank fire — some have lost everything.

The UNICEF spokesperson stressed that the recent Eid holiday passed with no celebrations in Gaza — just as the previous year. “No homes, no food, no joy. Only heavy grief and memories of those lost,” he said, pointing out that many mothers fast for two days just to secure a single meal for their children.

He added that the number of children dying from hunger or treatable diseases is “impossible to accurately count under these conditions,” but what is certain is that “severe malnutrition increases a child’s risk of death from basic illnesses by 10 times — a deadly cycle of food shortages, contaminated water, and lack of medical care.”

Elder also warned that going to hospitals is no longer safe, and medical facilities lack even the most basic supplies. Of the 38 hospitals in Gaza, only 19 are partially functioning, as Israeli forces have destroyed most of the healthcare infrastructure. Currently, only 9 field hospitals are operating, providing emergency services amid a genocide against Palestinians.

According to the Ministry of Health in Gaza, more than 16,500 children have been killed since the genocide began on October 7, 2023.

A deadly distribution system

Elder discussed earlier UNICEF efforts in cooperation with Palestinian organizations, which had succeeded during ceasefires in establishing about 400 active aid distribution points. However, this system collapsed when the Israeli occupation army imposed a “militarized distribution system” overseen by an Israeli-American organization known as the “Gaza Humanitarian Aid Fund.”

Aid is now being distributed in so-called “buffer zones” in southern and central Gaza, with increasing signs of this system’s failure. Distribution efforts have repeatedly halted due to large crowds of hungry civilians, and Israeli forces have opened fire on people waiting for aid, killing and injuring civilians.

“This system covers only a limited number of distribution points and causes casualties every day — including children who are killed just for trying to get a can of food,” Elder said.

He also accused Israel of using aid distribution as a tool for forced displacement: “The new system is deliberately designed to push residents from northern Gaza to the south, threatening to destroy everything we’ve built in terms of effective relief networks.”

The ship Madleen and breaking the siege

Regarding Israel’s interception of the humanitarian ship Madleen, which was carrying aid to Gaza and had 12 international activists on board, Elder said such initiatives are “extremely important” and help keep global attention focused on the suffering of children.

“I’ve heard about those brave activists on board. What they are doing is vitally important. They are motivated purely by humanitarian concerns and a pursuit of justice,” he said, expressing his support for their actions, which expose the blockade and embarrass the Israeli occupation forces.

The Israeli navy had intercepted the ship, detained the 12 activists onboard, and later released them after forcing them to sign pledges not to return.