The Palestinian Ministry of Health in the Gaza Strip announced on Thursday that four more people have died from famine and malnutrition in the past 24 hours, bringing the total number of famine-related deaths to 197—including 96 children.

In a statement posted to its official Facebook page, the ministry confirmed that the humanitarian crisis in Gaza continues to deteriorate due to ongoing shortages of food, medical supplies, and the continued blockade. It renewed urgent calls for international intervention and immediate support from relief organizations.

Severe Crisis for 2.4 Million Residents
The Gaza Strip, home to approximately 2.4 million people, is grappling with a devastating collapse in access to food, clean water, and healthcare. Humanitarian aid has been critically restricted since the near-total closure of border crossings in early March.

The United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) recently reported a doubling in cases of malnutrition among children under five between March and June, attributing the spike to severe shortages in aid deliveries.

The World Health Organization (WHO) added that nearly one in five children in Gaza City now suffers from acute malnutrition, warning that the ongoing blockade and disruption of humanitarian aid are accelerating the loss of life.

UN and EU Sound the Alarm
Gaza is currently facing one of the worst humanitarian crises in its history, amid ongoing large-scale Israeli military operations. According to Palestinian health data, more than 209,000 people have been killed or injured, including significant numbers of women and children.

International organizations have repeatedly warned that the sharp decline in humanitarian supplies and the restriction of essential goods threaten the lives of hundreds of thousands of civilians. Calls continue for an immediate ceasefire and the establishment of safe humanitarian corridors.

An EU official told Reuters on Thursday that the humanitarian situation remains "extremely serious," following a briefing to EU member states on the implementation of a recent agreement with Israel aimed at improving aid access to Gaza.

While there have been some positive developments—such as increased fuel supply, partial reopening of crossings, more aid trucks entering Gaza daily, and repairs to critical infrastructure—the official emphasized that “significant obstacles” remain.

The most pressing challenge is the lack of a safe operating environment that allows widespread and secure aid distribution

the official stated

UNRWA: Palestinians Shot While Searching for Food
In a separate statement, UNRWA warned that Palestinians are being "shot at while trying to find food for their families." The agency described the situation as unsustainable and urged a "political decision to unconditionally open the crossings" to allow the UN and its partners to carry out humanitarian operations.

“Residents are starving and being killed while searching for food,” the agency said in a post on its official X account. “The consequences are worsening, and the world must act now.”