TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, said Gaza is facing a man-made mass starvation.
“I don’t know what you would call it other than mass starvation, and it’s man-made, and that’s very clear,” said Tedros in a press conference on Wednesday, July 23, 2025, as quoted from CNA.
“This is because of (the) blockade.” he continued.
Starvation Crisis Due to Blockade
Tedros's statement came after more than 100 humanitarian agencies issued a joint call regarding the worsening hunger crisis in Gaza. They reported that food, clean water, and medical supplies are piling up outside the enclave due to tight aid restrictions.
Since Israel imposed a full blockade in March, food supplies have reportedly run out. Although restrictions were slightly eased in May, aid flow remains limited. "Since then, food deliveries have resumed intermittently but remain far below what is needed for the survival of the population," said Tedros.
Children the Most Vulnerable Victims
WHO noted that more than 5,100 children have entered acute malnutrition treatment programs in July, including 800 children "who were severely emaciated. "Since July 17, severe acute malnutrition centers are full, without sufficient supplies for emergency feeding," said Tedros.
According to TRT Global report, as of mid-year, 21 children under five years old have been reported to have died due to malnutrition. However, WHO believes the actual number is much higher.
WHO's report indicates that around 10 percent of Gaza's population is currently suffering from acute malnutrition, including over 20 percent of pregnant and breastfeeding people. "We are now witnessing a deadly surge in malnutrition-related deaths," said Tedros.
Health System Collapse, Scarce Clean Water
Amid the nutrition crisis, Gaza also faces a shortage of clean water. WHO reported that 95 percent of households lack adequate access to drinking, cooking, and sanitation water. Health service centers are overwhelmed. Tedros revealed that children cry themselves to sleep from hunger. Food distribution sites have also turned into locations of violence.
According to the Gaza Health Ministry, ten people were reported to have died of starvation on Wednesday night, bringing the total death toll since the conflict began to 111. Most of the deaths occurred in the past few weeks as starvation spread.
Call for Ceasefire and Full Access to Aid Delivery
Tedros emphasized that about 2.1 million Palestinians in Gaza are currently trapped in a war zone, and called for full humanitarian access. "We demand that there is full access, and we demand that there is a ceasefire," he said.
Israel has repeatedly stated that the restrictions in place are to prevent aid from falling into the hands of Hamas. The Israeli government also claims to have facilitated sufficient aid deliveries, something international agencies rebuked.
Since October 2023, over 59,200 Palestinians, mostly women and children, have been reported killed in Israeli attacks that have devastated much of Gaza's infrastructure, including essential health systems and logistics.
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