Amid the ongoing conflict in the Gaza Strip, families are now facing another deadly threat - starvation. Displaced civilians and health workers have revealed the dire conditions faced by the population, with food scarcity, contaminated water, and limited access to aid exacerbating the crisis. The situation has reached a critical point, with the United Nations warning that a full-scale famine is imminent.

The blockade imposed by Israel and Egypt has already left two-thirds of the people in Gaza reliant on food support. The recent Israeli bombardment and siege have further decimated vital supplies, plunging the entire population of approximately 2.2 million people into acute food insecurity. According to the Integrated Food Security and Nutrition Phase Classification (IPC), the great majority of the 400,000 Gazans at risk of starving are already in a state of famine.

Israel's strikes on Gaza since the Hamas attacks in October have resulted in a staggering death toll of at least 26,637 people, according to the Hamas-run Ministry of Health. In addition to the loss of life, the destruction of vital infrastructure and resources has left Palestinians struggling to find food and clean water. Reports of children fighting over stale bread, families resorting to eating grass, and desperate searches for food in freezing temperatures highlight the extreme conditions faced by the people of Gaza.

The impact on children is particularly distressing. Over 350,000 children under the age of five in Gaza are at high risk of severe malnutrition, according to UNICEF. Malnourished children have an increased risk of death, and cases of diarrhea among children have skyrocketed since the conflict began. Pregnant women also face heightened risks, with higher rates of miscarriages and premature births due to extreme stress and malnutrition.

The dire situation in Gaza has prompted international concern and calls for action. The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), the main UN agency in Gaza, has seen funding suspended by several Western countries following allegations of staff involvement in the Hamas attacks. Jordan's foreign minister has urged reconsideration of the funding suspension, emphasizing that UNRWA is a lifeline for over 2 million Palestinians in Gaza.

As the crisis deepens, displaced families in Gaza not only grapple with the fear of bombardment but also the anguish of being unable to provide enough food for their children. Limited access to electricity makes it impossible to store perishable goods, contributing to further food scarcity. Overcrowded and unsanitary living conditions exacerbate the health risks faced by the population.

The international community must act urgently to address the humanitarian crisis unfolding in Gaza. The provision of immediate aid, lifting of the blockade, and the restoration of essential infrastructure are crucial to prevent the region from sliding further into famine and desperation. The innocent lives of millions are at stake, and urgent action is needed to avert a catastrophic loss of life in Gaza.