The humanitarian crisis in Gaza deepens as seven more Palestinians have died from starvation and malnutrition in the past 24 hours, bringing the total malnutrition-related deaths to 339, including 124 children, according to local medical sources.

The deaths come amid Israel’s ongoing total blockade of the besieged enclave, which has cut off food, medicine, and essential supplies.

Since the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) declared famine in Gaza on August 22, 61 people have succumbed to extreme hunger, including nine children. The international IPC assessment, conducted by the United Nations and partner organizations, confirmed that famine conditions are pervasive in Gaza and warned that the crisis is expected to spread to Deir al-Balah and Khan Younis governorates by the end of September.

The IPC report paints a grim picture of the humanitarian catastrophe: over 500,000 Palestinians are now facing catastrophic conditions—the fifth and most severe phase of food insecurity—marked by extreme hunger, death, and critically high rates of acute malnutrition. Meanwhile, 1.07 million people, more than half the population, are experiencing emergency-level food insecurity, and another 396,000 are enduring crisis-level food shortages.

The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification ranks food insecurity in five stages, with famine being the deadliest. The ongoing Israeli siege, which has lasted for nearly two decades, has pushed Gaza’s population to the brink of survival, leaving families—especially children—suffering and dying from hunger.

Human rights organizations have repeatedly condemned Israel’s blockade as a form of collective punishment, calling for an immediate end to the restrictions and urgent delivery of humanitarian aid to save lives in Gaza. (ILKHA)