Hunger Crisis in Gaza: A Dire Situation
In early August, Dr. Mohammed Adeel Khaleel, a Texas surgeon, arrived at a hospital in Gaza City where he encountered a 17-year-old boy suffering from gunshot wounds. The teen had been shot while trying to get food from a humanitarian aid center. Upon examination, Dr. Khaleel noticed the boy’s severe malnutrition—his ribs protruding and a desperate look in his eyes, indicating a dire need for food.
Dr. Khaleel expressed deep concern about the overwhelming hunger he was witnessing, stating, “The level of hunger is truly heartbreaking.” He noted that while he had seen signs of malnutrition in the past, the current situation had escalated to an unimaginable level. His observations were corroborated by an alarming report from the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC), which declared that parts of Gaza are experiencing famine for the first time. They warned that the situation is worsening.
In the days following the famine announcement, reports indicated that at least eight individuals died from malnutrition-related causes, raising the total number of deaths during the ongoing conflict to 281, according to Gaza’s Ministry of Health. An American medical organization working in Gaza highlighted that one in six children under five is facing acute malnutrition.
The Israeli government dismissed the famine claims as “outrageous lies” and emphasized their efforts to increase food supplies after easing a total blockade. They blamed Hamas for diverting aid, a claim that the United Nations has contested, stating that Israel’s restrictions make it exceedingly difficult for aid to reach those in need.
Dr. Khaleel, who volunteered through the World Health Organization, reported that evidence of severe malnutrition was evident even before the IPC’s announcement. He remarked, “Given the weight loss, postoperative complications, and hunger we are witnessing, it wouldn’t be surprising if they declared it a famine.”
At the Shifa Hospital, another doctor shared the story of a 15-year-old girl named Aya Sbeteh, who was injured in an airstrike. Her recovery has been hampered by her weakened state due to lack of food, leading to a weight loss of over a third of her body weight. Her father lamented that their food supplies consisted mostly of grains, noting that even flour has become unaffordable.
Most Vulnerable Suffer the Most
Another patient, Karam Akoumeh, lay in a bed with sunken cheeks and emaciated limbs after suffering severe injuries and subsequent complications from inadequate nutrition. His father, Atef, explained how a lack of nutritional supplements exacerbated Karam’s hunger, causing his weight to plummet.
Medical professionals noted that the lack of food and nutrients extends beyond the wards of hospitals. “We have no protein sources available, only plant-based options. There’s no meat, no dairy products, no fruits,” said Dr. Mohammad Kuheil, who oversees nutrition at Shifa Hospital.
Palestinians displaced from their homes echoed the grim reality of their situation. Dalia Shamali described her family’s desperate search for food, saying, “We are starving. We eat once a day. What more could we endure? There’s nothing left.” They had spent their savings relocating repeatedly due to military evacuations, and though food prices had dipped recently due to Israeli aid, they still found it unaffordable.
Famine Threat May Worsen
The IPC’s latest announcement suggested that the famine in Gaza could spread unless a ceasefire occurs, accompanied by a significant influx of humanitarian aid. A report from MedGlobal pointed to an alarming increase in severe malnutrition, particularly among children and pregnant women, with one in six children now affected.
Dr. Khaleel noted that measuring famine levels should be left to experts, but what he witnessed during his volunteer stint was hard to ignore. He described patients with visible signs of malnutrition, with stretched skin revealing protruding bones, saying, “Many of the patients we see have protruding ribs and emaciated limbs. It’s clear they are not getting enough calories.”
As the situation in Gaza deteriorates, it is critical for the international community to address the urgent needs of its most vulnerable populations.
