More than 1.4 million Palestinians in Gaza are experiencing serious food insecurity, with over 212,000 people in an emergency due to the crisis, reported by Palestinian authorities. The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) was shared at a press event in Ramallah to illustrate the deteriorating conditions. Although some improvement appears in the data, the core issues are deep-rooted and persisting.
Samah Hamad, the Social Development Minister, emphasized that any drop in aid access could push the humanitarian situation into even more perilous conditions. She argued that the ongoing food shortage is not a temporary issue but the result of consistent Israeli actions that restrict the flow of essential goods such as food, water, and medical supplies. Hamad criticized the blockade as a deliberate attack on the basic needs of life in Gaza, contributing to a prolonged and deepening humanitarian catastrophe.
Children's Nutrition Crisis
Hamad also mentioned that 74,200 children in Gaza require immediate treatment for extreme malnutrition. While recent figures display some betterment, she explained that these changes are the result of continued humanitarian support, not an indication that the region's basic needs have been fully restored. The minister highlighted the urgent need for nutritional support for 24,600 pregnant and breastfeeding women, illustrating the extensive and damaging consequences of the crisis on vulnerable groups.
Ramesh Rajasingham, the UN humanitarian coordinator in the occupied Palestinian territories, noted that the current improvement in the region's conditions is conditional and only feasible due to consistent humanitarian aid delivery. He advocated for long-term solutions, including fully operating crossings and resuming economic activity to aid the region's recovery. These actions, according to Rajasingham, are crucial for maintaining the fragile progress and establishing a foundation for future stability.
Approximately 67% of Gaza’s population is still in IPC Phase 3 or worse, with more than 200,000 individuals in the most dire emergency category. Rajasingham stressed that continued humanitarian aid is vital for preserving the progress made so far. He called for early recovery projects and the restoration of livelihoods to provide long-term stability to affected communities. These initiatives would empower the people of Gaza to regain independence and foster resilience for the future.
Shaun Hughes, the World Food Programme (WFP) representative in Palestine, explained that the report was based on the most comprehensive nutrition survey conducted in Gaza since the conflict began. He warned that any reduction in aid funding or supplies would quickly lead to a decline in food security. The WFP has been reaching 75% of Gaza’s population each month since November through food and cash assistance programs.
Shortages in Essential Medicines
Gaza’s Health Ministry reported that 47% of essential medicines are missing, with medical consumables at a 58% shortage and lab testing materials at 85%. These shortfalls are severely affecting the provision of critical healthcare services, placing many lives in jeopardy. The scarcity of medical supplies has led to a dire situation for individuals in need of life-saving interventions, particularly those with chronic or severe illnesses.
Medicines for cancer and blood diseases are especially lacking, with shortages reaching 61%. This issue is endangering patients' lives as their treatment is being disrupted. Other crucial areas are also impacted: maternal and child health medicines are 56% short, primary health care medicines are 55% below required levels, and kidney and dialysis medicines are 46% insufficient. Without these necessary drugs, many individuals face a greater risk of complications or fatality.
Mental health and neurology medicines are missing 35% of the needed supplies. Emergency care medicines are 33% short, surgical supplies face a 39% shortage, and orthopaedic surgery supplies are 47% below required levels. The ministry has warned that these shortages jeopardize the operation of essential diagnostic services and life-saving procedures. Without these critical resources, medical personnel are unable to carry out even basic procedures that could save lives.
Healthcare System Collapse
The healthcare system has been gravely undermined since October 8, 2023, with hospitals and health facilities destroyed and critical supplies from entering the region. Since the conflict started, more than 73,000 people have been killed and over 174,000 injured. Despite a ceasefire agreement that began in October 2025, attacks and humanitarian challenges persist. Without swift action, the healthcare system in Gaza is at the brink of a complete breakdown.