On Tuesday, July 29, 2025, the death toll in Gaza surpassed a grim milestone, with over 60,000 Palestinians confirmed killed since the conflict erupted in October 2023. The Gaza Health Ministry, widely regarded as a reliable source by the United Nations and international observers, reported this staggering figure, which includes combatants and civilians alike. Alarmingly, more than half of those killed were women and children, underscoring the devastating human cost of the nearly two-year war.
As the death toll climbs, the humanitarian crisis in Gaza has deepened dramatically. The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC), the world’s leading authority on food crises, issued a dire warning that the "worst-case scenario of famine" is currently unfolding in the densely populated enclave of over two million people. The IPC’s report highlights that one in three Gazans is going without food for days, with famine thresholds already reached in most of the territory and acute malnutrition rampant, particularly in Gaza City.
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres echoed the urgency of the situation, stating, "The facts are in — and they are undeniable. Palestinians in Gaza are enduring a humanitarian catastrophe of epic proportions. This is not a warning. It is a reality unfolding before our eyes." He called for the "trickle of aid to become an ocean," demanding unrestricted flow of food, water, medicine, and fuel into Gaza to prevent further catastrophe.
The humanitarian situation is compounded by the continuing violence. On the same day, at least 83 Palestinians, including 33 seeking aid, were killed despite temporary pauses in fighting intended to facilitate humanitarian deliveries. Reports from Gaza describe intense Israeli military operations involving booby-trapped robots, tanks, and drones, marking some of the bloodiest nights in recent weeks. Aid seekers remain at extreme risk, with dozens killed while waiting at distribution points, many inside Israeli military zones.
The health crisis is particularly severe among children. Over 20,000 children were admitted for treatment of acute malnutrition between April and mid-July 2025, with more than 3,000 classified as severely malnourished. Medical professionals report babies suffering from extreme malnutrition, described as "just the skin over the bone," with dire implications for their cognitive and physical development. Doctors warn that even after food becomes available, malnutrition's effects linger, increasing risks of heart failure, infections, and developmental delays.
Amid this backdrop, international diplomatic tensions have escalated. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced that the U.K. will formally recognize a Palestinian state at the United Nations General Assembly in September 2025 unless Israel agrees to a ceasefire, halts annexation plans in the West Bank, and commits to a long-term peace process based on a two-state solution. This bold move drew sharp criticism from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who accused Starmer of "rewarding Hamas’s monstrous terrorism & punishing its victims." Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas described the decision as "bold," reflecting growing international support for Palestinian statehood.
France has also taken a similar stance, with President Emmanuel Macron announcing in late July that France will recognize Palestine in September. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot emphasized joint efforts to end the cycle of violence and reopen prospects for peace. Malta followed suit, formally communicating its intention to recognize a Palestinian state during a United Nations conference in New York.
Meanwhile, the United States, Israel’s closest ally, faces increasing pressure as American public support for Israel’s military actions declines. President Donald Trump expressed concern over the starvation images emerging from Gaza, stating, "We want to take it one thing at a time. They need food, and they need people to be able to get them the food." Trump proposed setting up "food centers" under Israeli supervision to ensure proper distribution, though aid groups have criticized similar systems as chaotic and ineffective. Despite these concerns, the U.S. administration has not indicated support for recognizing Palestinian statehood.
On the ground, aid delivery remains painfully inadequate. The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) reports that only about half of the requested aid is reaching Gaza, despite eased restrictions over the past weekend. WFP aims for 100 trucks per day to enter Gaza but faces delays due to slow clearance and insufficient approvals. The European Union’s humanitarian aid agency was recently denied authorization by Israel to join a convoy into Gaza, further complicating aid monitoring and delivery efforts.
In response to the crisis, several countries have initiated airdrops of humanitarian supplies, though aid organizations warn that this method is inefficient and dangerous. France announced plans to airdrop 40 tonnes of aid in coordination with Jordan, and Germany is deploying two military aircraft to Jordan to join these efforts. However, many Palestinians view airdrops as humiliating and insufficient, with some risking their lives swimming into the sea to retrieve floating supplies. Humanitarian experts emphasize that opening border crossings for truck deliveries remains the most effective solution.
The conflict’s toll extends beyond immediate casualties. Gaza’s infrastructure lies in ruins, with entire cities reduced to rubble and essential services collapsed. Diseases such as polio and meningitis have resurfaced amid the devastation. The International Committee of the Red Cross condemned the scale of human suffering as exceeding every acceptable legal and moral standard, calling the ongoing horrors a collective failure of humanity.
Within Israel, public opinion is showing signs of change. Anti-war protests have attracted larger crowds, and images of starving Gazan children have begun to permeate public discourse. Even prominent right-wing commentators have voiced concern about an impending hunger crisis, speculating that it may pressure Israeli leadership to seek a ceasefire.
Despite these developments, the conflict remains unresolved. Hamas continues to hold approximately 50 hostages, with about 20 believed alive, complicating peace efforts. Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, facing political and legal challenges at home, has resisted agreements that would involve troop withdrawals or staged hostage releases. The war’s deadliest toll since Israel’s founding in 1948 continues to mount, with thousands more bodies believed buried under rubble.
The world watches as Gaza teeters on the brink of famine and further devastation, with urgent calls for ceasefire, humanitarian access, and a renewed commitment to a two-state solution. The coming weeks will be critical in determining whether diplomacy can break the cycle of violence and suffering in this embattled region.
