NAIROBI — Nearly one in three people in the Gaza Strip go for days without food, the United Nations World Food Programme warned Friday, describing the situation as a full-blown hunger emergency. In a statement issued to the public UN stated over 90,000 women and children require immediate treatment for malnutrition. “This crisis is unlike anything we’ve seen in Gaza,” the WFP noted, highlighting the sharp deterioration in access to food across the region.
The warning followed the deaths of nine people on Friday due to hunger-related complications, bringing the official toll to 122 since the war began, according to the Hamas-run Gaza health ministry. Israel, which controls all supply routes into Gaza, has denied accusations of blocking aid. Officials insist Hamas is responsible for the humanitarian breakdown.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer stated on Friday that Britain is preparing to support aerial aid deliveries into Gaza. This came after a third of the UK’s lawmakers signed a letter urging recognition of Palestinian statehood
PM Keir Starmer, writing in The Mirror, said: “News that Israel will allow countries to airdrop aid into Gaza has come far too late but we will do everything we can to get aid in via this route.” PM Starmer also announced plans to fast-track medical evacuations for children in critical condition.
Although Jordan and the UAE have expressed intent to participate in the airdrops, a senior Jordanian source told the press that Israel had not yet granted the necessary clearances for their aircraft.
The UN criticized the airdrop strategy, calling it a “distraction from inaction.”
In a rare joint statement, Germany, France, and the UK urged Israel to lift restrictions on aid. The three governments said the ongoing humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza is unacceptable. “Withholding essential humanitarian assistance to the civilian population is unacceptable,” their statement read.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres accused global powers of turning a blind eye to Gaza’s suffering. Speaking to Amnesty International’s general assembly, UN SG said: “I cannot explain the level of indifference and inaction we see by too many in the international community the lack of compassion, the lack of truth, the lack of humanity.”
UN SG Guterres cited reports that over 1,000 Palestinians have died while attempting to collect food since late May, when the Israel- and US-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) began aid distribution outside the UN’s usual channels.
A former US security contractor who worked with the GHF in May and June told the he witnessed indiscriminate force used on civilians at food lines.
Anthony Aguilar claimed he saw live gunfire, mortar attacks, and tank shells used by Israeli forces and American contractors. “In my entire career, I have never witnessed the level of brutality and use of unnecessary force against civilians as I did in Gaza,” he said. The GHF rejected Aguilar’s account, calling it “categorically false” and stating he was dismissed a month ago for misconduct.
Meanwhile, efforts to negotiate a new ceasefire and hostage release deal have hit another roadblock. Both Israeli and American delegations have exited the Qatar-hosted talks
President Donald Trump blamed Hamas, claiming, “They don’t really want to make a deal. I think they want to die.” A senior Hamas official said the group was surprised by the withdrawals and insisted mediation efforts were still underway. Israel began its war in Gaza following Hamas-led attacks on October 7, 2023, which killed 1,200 Israelis and resulted in 251 hostages.
Since then, over 59,000 people have been killed in Gaza, according to the territory’s health authorities. Following a total aid blockade in March and a renewed Israeli military offensive, Gaza’s infrastructure has been devastated. The UN estimates more than 90% of homes are damaged or destroyed, and most residents have been displaced repeatedly. Although Israel has since eased the blockade is under pressure as food, fuel, and medical shortages persist.
In a major political development, France announced it will recognize a Palestinian state in September. The move initiated by France president Macron has sparked criticism from Israel and US while UK and Gemany are still in talks to formally recognize Palestinian state and deliberations are being expected from the engagements.
Back in London, more than a third of UK lawmakers signed a letter calling on Prime Minister Starmer to do the same. PM Starmer responded cautiously, saying recognition would only happen “as part of a wider plan which ultimately results in a two-state solution.”
As starvation claims more lives and political pressure grows, global leaders face mounting calls to act decisively to end the suffering in Gaza.
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