UNRWA says food for Gaza’s ‘entire population’ waiting at border
The UN agency for Palestinian refugees has said it has “enough food for the entire population of Gaza” waiting at the border crossing in Egypt.
Israel has imposed a total siege on the Strip since March 2, blocking the entry of humanitarian aid and commercial supplies into Gaza.
“Open the gates, lift the siege and allow UNRWA to do its work,” the organisation said on X.
Israel has banned UNRWA from operating in its territory, including in occupied East Jerusalem, and contact with Israeli authorities is forbidden.
UNRWA has enough food for the entire population of #Gaza for over three months stockpiled in warehouses–including this one in Al Arish, Egypt–awaiting entry.
The supplies are available. The systems are in place.
Open the gates, lift the siege, allow UNRWA to do its work and… pic.twitter.com/3e1bVbFnGv
— UNRWA (@UNRWA) July 19, 2025
No one should have to risk their life to get basic assistance’
Jagan Chapagain, secretary general of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), has again warned that Palestinians in Gaza face “an acute risk of famine” – and the situation is getting worse.
“Basic food supplies are no longer available in markets or distribution points,” Chapagain said in a post on X.
“The cost of remaining essentials, such as flour, has skyrocketed, with 1 kilogram now reaching as much as $20, making it impossible for two million people to meet their minimum daily nutritional needs.”
He also reiterated a call “for full and unhindered access for humanitarian assistance” to Gaza, which remains under an Israeli blockade.
No one should have to risk their life to get basic humanitarian assistance.
Recent weeks have seen desperate people risking their lives just to receive basic aid in Gaza.
The population is facing an acute risk of famine, with continuously worsening conditions. Basic food…
— Jagan Chapagain (@jagan_chapagain) July 19, 2025
Hungry children in Gaza pick through rubbish in search of food
Footage shared online, and verified by Al Jazeera, shows children in Gaza sifting through rubbish in search of food, amid soaring levels of hunger due to an Israeli blockade.
One video shows three young boys standing and eating amid a pile of rubbish on the street, picking scraps from the refuse. Another clip showed a child opening a bag of rubbish on the street, rummaging through it in search of anything to eat.
Gaza’s Health Ministry has warned that unprecedented numbers of starving people are presenting at hospital emergency wards in the territory, with many at risk of dying of starvation. Health officials say 17,000 children in Gaza are suffering from severe malnutrition.
Gaza death toll rises
Israel’s war on Gaza has killed at least 58,765 people and wounded 140,485 since October 7, 2023, the Health Ministry said.
The death toll since a ceasefire broke down on March 18 has risen to 7,938 killed and 28,444 wounded.
The ministry also said 98 people have been killed and 511 injured in Israeli attacks in the past 48 hours.
