The people of Gaza are facing an imminent humanitarian catastrophe as Israel continues to prevent the entry of vital aid, leaving more than 2.4 million residents without access to basic necessities. The Ministry of Social Development in Gaza has issued an urgent warning, describing the situation as a deliberate escalation that could push the besieged enclave into widespread famine.

Children and the elderly are particularly at risk, with nearly 290,000 children and 140,000 elderly individuals now facing starvation and extreme winter conditions. With bakeries shutting down due to a lack of flour and fuel, even the most basic food supplies are vanishing. Meanwhile, the destruction of agricultural infrastructure has left families unable to grow or store food, deepening the crisis. As winter sets in, thousands of displaced people are left without shelter, struggling to survive in freezing temperatures with no heating or blankets.

The Ministry of Social Development has called on the United Nations and the international community to take immediate action, warning that failure to intervene will lead to mass casualties. The statement condemned Israel’s blockade as a violation of international law, urging world leaders to hold it accountable for the suffering inflicted on Gaza’s civilian population.

As desperation grows, Gaza stands at the edge of yet another preventable tragedy. The international community faces a moral test—whether to act decisively or allow millions to be starved into submission under a siege designed to crush their will to survive.