By Maxamed Cawil Jaamac
Gaza Strip — July 28, 2025
The humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza has deepened, with 14 more Palestinians confirmed dead from malnutrition in the past 24 hours, according to the Hamas-run Gaza health ministry. This brings the total number of starvation-related deaths to at least 141, with children making up a significant portion of the victims.
The announcement comes as Israel begins implementing a "partial military pause" — a daily 10-hour suspension of operations in select areas of Gaza — in an effort to allow for improved humanitarian access.
Aid Begins to Enter, But Needs Far Outweigh Supplies
On Sunday, over 120 aid trucks reportedly entered Gaza through the Kerem Shalom and Rafah crossings, marking one of the largest single-day deliveries in weeks. Aid was coordinated by the United Nations and various international organizations. Live images also showed new convoys arriving earlier today, suggesting the flow of aid may be increasing — albeit modestly.
Despite this, UN aid chief Tom Fletcher warned that while the pause is welcome, it is far from enough. Speaking to the BBC, he said:
"The next few days are make-or-break. Either the flow of aid scales up rapidly, or famine will deepen."
Fletcher emphasized that current levels of aid represent only a fraction of what is needed to prevent further mass deaths and long-term health impacts.
Ceasefire Zones and Air Drops
The Israeli military confirmed that the tactical pause will last 10 hours per day, limited to areas where troops are not actively engaged in combat. The goal is to create "humanitarian corridors" for both aid distribution and civilian movement.
In addition to the ground deliveries, air drops of aid were conducted over the weekend, although both international aid agencies and UN officials have criticized them as being largely symbolic. They estimate that only a tiny fraction of Gaza’s 2.2 million residents are being reached via air drops.
Access for Journalists Remains Blocked
Complicating efforts to verify the humanitarian situation, Israel continues to restrict access for BBC and other international media into the Gaza Strip. This blackout has drawn criticism from press freedom organizations and human rights groups, who argue that independent reporting is critical to document the unfolding crisis.
The Call for Sustained Action
While the current ceasefire and aid delivery are seen as steps forward, many NGOs and Gaza-based observers say the action is too little, too late. Hunger is rampant, disease is spreading, and medical infrastructure is virtually nonexistent in many areas.
“Starvation is not a natural disaster — it’s the result of choices,” said one anonymous UN official. “What happens this week may determine the survival of tens of thousands.”
Written by Maxamed Cawil Jaamac — committed to reporting the human stories behind the headlines.
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