UN Officials Condemn ‘Man-Made Starvation’ in Gaza as Israeli Strikes Kill Dozens

The head of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) has accused Israel of inflicting “man-made” and “politically motivated starvation” on the population of Gaza. The grave allegation comes as the humanitarian situation in the besieged enclave continues to deteriorate, with the United Nations’ World Food Programme (WFP) confirming that food aid supplies have now been completely exhausted.

Philippe Lazzarini, UNRWA’s Commissioner-General, warned that the deliberate obstruction of aid has pushed Gaza’s population to the brink of famine. His comments were echoed by Michael Fakhri, the UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food, who said that Israel's blockade has lasted for over 50 days and amounts to a systematic starvation campaign. Fakhri added that Israel is executing this strategy “with no repercussions,” despite widespread international concern over the rising humanitarian toll.

On the ground, the situation continues to spiral out of control. Medical sources told Al Jazeera that at least 45 people were killed in Israeli airstrikes across Gaza since early Friday, contributing to an already devastating death toll. The daily count of fatalities continues to climb as intense aerial bombardments and military operations persist in both northern and southern parts of the enclave.

According to the latest figures from Gaza’s Health Ministry, at least 51,439 Palestinians have been confirmed killed and more than 117,000 others injured since Israel launched its military campaign in October 2023. However, the Gaza Government Media Office reports that the real toll is even higher, stating that over 61,700 people have died, with thousands still buried beneath the rubble of destroyed buildings. Many of these missing are presumed dead, adding to the psychological and emotional trauma endured by families who remain unable to retrieve the bodies of their loved ones.

The war was triggered by the Hamas-led attacks on Israel on October 7, 2023, which left at least 1,139 Israelis dead and resulted in the capture of more than 200 hostages. Since then, Israel has launched a prolonged and large-scale offensive in Gaza, justifying its actions as necessary to dismantle Hamas and ensure national security. However, critics argue that the scale of destruction and civilian casualties is disproportionate, with the blockade and restriction of humanitarian aid exacerbating the suffering of ordinary Palestinians.

International human rights organizations and humanitarian agencies have raised urgent alarms over the situation, calling for immediate action to allow aid into Gaza and protect civilians. The WFP, which has long been a critical lifeline for millions in Gaza, confirmed that its warehouses are now empty, and its ability to distribute food has come to a halt due to ongoing hostilities and restrictions.

As the conflict drags on with no clear resolution in sight, pressure is mounting on global powers to intervene diplomatically. The humanitarian cost continues to rise, and voices from within the UN and beyond warn that Gaza is now not only a war zone but a place of deliberate, preventable suffering.