
OHCHR: Palestinians in Gaza Dying from Starvation and Bullets as Israel Blocks Humanitarian Aid
The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) issued a stark warning on Monday, stating that Palestinians in Gaza are being killed by starvation or shot by Israeli forces as they attempt to access food and humanitarian assistance.
In a powerful statement, the OHCHR said the humanitarian situation in the besieged enclave has deteriorated to the point where residents are "starving to death." The Gaza Ministry of Health has recorded 101 deaths from malnutrition in recent days, including 15 deaths within a single 24-hour period. Alarmingly, at least 80 of those reported deaths were children.
'Many more have arrived at hospitals in a state of severe exhaustion caused by lack of food. Others are collapsing in the streets. Many more may be dying unreported,' the OHCHR said.
The UN rights body also revealed that between May 27 and July 21, Israeli forces killed 1,054 Palestinians in Gaza as they attempted to access food. Of those, 766 were killed near Gaza Humanitarian Field (GHF) sites and 288 near UN and other aid convoys.
'These deaths and the horrendous physical and psychological suffering caused by hunger are the result of Israel's interference with and militarisation of humanitarian assistance,' the statement added.
The OHCHR blamed the mounting toll on the Israeli-imposed blockade and other restrictions that are severely impeding the entry and distribution of aid into Gaza.
The agency condemned the use of lethal force against civilians seeking food. 'The Israeli military must immediately stop shooting at people trying to get food. Firearms must never be used simply to disperse a crowd, even as a warning,' the OHCHR said.
The UN body urged Israel to fulfill its obligations under international humanitarian law by ensuring the delivery of adequate food and lifesaving necessities to Gaza's population. It also called on third-party states to take concrete steps to pressure Israel to lift what it described as 'unlawful restrictions' on humanitarian operations.
The statement comes amid ongoing warnings from international agencies about the risk of famine in Gaza, where the war and blockade have decimated food supply chains and obstructed aid distribution efforts.
read more
Gold prices rise, 21 Karat at EGP 3685
NATO's Role in Israeli-Palestinian Conflict
US Expresses 'Strong Opposition' to New Turkish Military Operation in Syria
Shoukry Meets Director-General of FAO
Lavrov: confrontation bet. nuclear powers must be avoided
News
Iran Summons French Ambassador over Foreign Minister Remarks
News
Aboul Gheit Condemns Israeli Escalation in West Bank
News
Greek PM: Athens Plays Key Role in Improving Energy Security in Region
News
One Person Injured in Explosion at Ukrainian Embassy in Madrid
News
Israeli-Linked Hadassah Clinic in Moscow Treats Wounded Iranian IRGC Fighters
Arts & Culture
"Jurassic World Rebirth" Gets Streaming Date
News
China Launches Largest Ever Aircraft Carrier
Videos & Features
Tragedy Overshadows MC Alger Championship Celebration: One Fan Dead, 11 Injured After Stadium Fall
Lifestyle
Get to Know 2025 Eid Al Adha Prayer Times in Egypt
Arts & Culture
South Korean Actress Kang Seo-ha Dies at 31 after Cancer Battle
Business
Egyptian Pound Undervalued by 30%, Says Goldman Sachs
Sports
Get to Know 2025 WWE Evolution Results
News
"Tensions Escalate: Iran Probes Allegations of Indian Tech Collaboration with Israeli Intelligence"
News
Flights suspended at Port Sudan Airport after Drone Attacks
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


See - Sada Elbalad
44 minutes ago
- See - Sada Elbalad
WHO: Egypt is the first country in the world to achieve the gold standard for eliminating hepatitis C
Amir Hagag The world celebrates World Hepatitis Day every year on July 28 to raise awareness about viral hepatitis, a liver inflammation often caused by a viral infection that progresses to severe liver disease and liver cancer. The World Health Organization (WHO) stated in a statement that in 2023, Egypt became the first country in the world to achieve the gold standard on the path to eliminating hepatitis C, according to WHO standards. On World Hepatitis Day 2025, the WHO urges communities, policymakers, and health authorities to commit to taking concerted action to eliminate hepatitis. Under the theme "Easy Steps to Eliminate Hepatitis," this year's campaign calls for urgent action to: remove financial, social, and public barriers—including stigma—that stand in the way of hepatitis elimination and liver cancer prevention; expand hepatitis services, including vaccination, safe injection practices, harm reduction, and, most importantly, testing and treatment, and integrate them into national health systems. She said that tangible progress has been made in the region. In 2023, Egypt became the first country in the world to achieve the gold standard for eliminating hepatitis C, according to WHO standards. Through the "100 Million Healthy Lives" presidential initiative, more than 60 million people were screened for hepatitis, and more than 4.3 million received free treatment. These efforts represent 70% of hepatitis C treatment in the Eastern Mediterranean Region and 35% of the global total, and have led to a 35% reduction in hepatitis-related deaths since 2018. In December 2024, Egypt became the first country in the Eastern Mediterranean Region to achieve hepatitis B control status, having successfully reduced its prevalence to less than 5% among children aged 9 years and older and maintained coverage above 90%. read more Gold prices rise, 21 Karat at EGP 3685 NATO's Role in Israeli-Palestinian Conflict US Expresses 'Strong Opposition' to New Turkish Military Operation in Syria Shoukry Meets Director-General of FAO Lavrov: confrontation bet. nuclear powers must be avoided News Iran Summons French Ambassador over Foreign Minister Remarks News Aboul Gheit Condemns Israeli Escalation in West Bank News Greek PM: Athens Plays Key Role in Improving Energy Security in Region News One Person Injured in Explosion at Ukrainian Embassy in Madrid News Israeli-Linked Hadassah Clinic in Moscow Treats Wounded Iranian IRGC Fighters Arts & Culture "Jurassic World Rebirth" Gets Streaming Date News China Launches Largest Ever Aircraft Carrier Videos & Features Tragedy Overshadows MC Alger Championship Celebration: One Fan Dead, 11 Injured After Stadium Fall Lifestyle Get to Know 2025 Eid Al Adha Prayer Times in Egypt Business Egyptian Pound Undervalued by 30%, Says Goldman Sachs Arts & Culture South Korean Actress Kang Seo-ha Dies at 31 after Cancer Battle Sports Get to Know 2025 WWE Evolution Results News "Tensions Escalate: Iran Probes Allegations of Indian Tech Collaboration with Israeli Intelligence" Arts & Culture Hawass Foundation Launches 1st Course to Teach Ancient Egyptian Language


Al-Ahram Weekly
13 hours ago
- Al-Ahram Weekly
Israel kills 18 more starving aid-seekers in Gaza despite declaring 'humanitarian pause' - War on Gaza
Israel killed at least 18 starving Palestinians, including two children, on Sunday morning as they waited for food aid in Gaza—just hours after announcing a 'tactical pause' in its war on the Strip, medical sources told Palestinian news agency WAFA. The victims were struck by Israeli fire near the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) aid distribution centres in the southern cities of Khan Younis and Rafah, as well as in central Gaza. Earlier in the day, the Palestinian Health Ministry reported that Israeli occupation forces had killed 11 people and injured over 36 others in the past 24 hours in attacks targeting Palestinians waiting for humanitarian aid. This brings the total number of Palestinians killed while seeking food to 1,132, with more than 7,521 others wounded. Gaza's hospitals also recorded six additional deaths from famine and malnutrition over the past 24 hours, raising the total number of such deaths to 133, including 87 children. Meanwhile, Israel continued its intense bombardment across the Strip, targeting residential homes and tents sheltering displaced people. In total, hospitals received 88 fatalities on Sunday—including 12 bodies recovered from under rubble—and 374 wounded. The ongoing massacres of aid-seekers come despite Israel's declaration of a "tactical pause" in military operations in parts of the Gaza Strip, ostensibly to allow the passage of United Nations (UN) aid convoys. The move follows mounting international outrage over mass starvation in the besieged enclave and the nearly 22-month-long war. According to the Israeli army, the pause applies only to areas where its forces are 'not currently active,' including Al-Mawasi, Deir al-Balah, and Gaza City. The pause is scheduled to run daily from 10:00am to 8:00pm. Israel added that 'designated secure routes' would remain open across the Strip to enable UN and NGO convoys to deliver food and medicine. However, it emphasized that military operations would continue elsewhere. In its latest update, the Palestinian Health Ministry said Sunday that the death toll from Israel's war on Gaza has reached 59,821, with 144,851 wounded since 7 October 2023. Of that total, 8,657 have been killed and 32,810 injured since 18 March, when Israel unilaterally broke a two-month ceasefire with Hamas—brokered by Egypt, Qatar, and the US—resuming its genocidal war on Gaza. Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:


Al-Ahram Weekly
14 hours ago
- Al-Ahram Weekly
WHO says malnutrition reaching alarming levels in Gaza - Region
Malnutrition rates are reaching "alarming levels" in the Gaza Strip, the World Health Organization warned Sunday, saying the Israeli "deliberate blocking" of aid was entirely preventable and had cost many lives. As Israel's blockade of Gaza approaches its fifth month, the World Health Organization warned that malnutrition was "on a dangerous trajectory … marked by a spike in deaths in July." Of the 74 recorded malnutrition-related deaths in 2025, 63 had occurred in July -- including 24 children under five, one child aged over five, and 38 adults, it added. "Most of these people were declared dead on arrival at health facilities or died shortly after, their bodies showing clear signs of severe wasting," the UN health agency said. "The crisis remains entirely preventable. Deliberate blocking and delay of large-scale food, health, and humanitarian aid has cost many lives." Israel imposed a complete blockade of Gaza on 2 March, blocking the entry of all humanitarian aid, including food, into the war-battered territory. The UN and NGOs on the ground have decried the severe scarcity facing Gaza's 2.4 million people, with shortages of food, clean water, medicine and fuel. More than 100 aid organisations have already warned that "mass starvation" was spreading amid Israel's blockade on food and humanitarian aid. Nearly one in five children under five in Gaza City is now acutely malnourished, the WHO said, citing its Nutrition Cluster partners. It said the percentage of children aged six to 59 months suffering from acute malnutrition had tripled in the city since June, making it the worst-hit area in the Gaza Strip. In Khan Younis and central Gaza, those rates have doubled in less than a month, it added. "These figures are likely an underestimation due to the severe access and security constraints preventing many families from reaching health facilities," the WHO said. Israel on Sunday began what it described as a limited "tactical pause" in its 21-month war on Gaza to allow the UN and aid agencies to tackle the outbreak of famine across the Palestinian territory. But the WHO called for sustained efforts to "flood" the Gaza Strip with diverse, nutritious food, and for the expedited delivery of therapeutic supplies for children and vulnerable groups, plus essential medicines and supplies. "This flow must remain consistent and unhindered to support recovery and prevent further deterioration", the Geneva-based agency said. Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link: