• Amnesty International accuses Israel of a "deliberate campaign of starvation" in Gaza.
• UN and humanitarian groups warn of escalating famine and severe malnutrition among children.
• Over 62,000 Palestinians have reportedly died since October 2023, attributed to the conflict.

Amnesty International has declared that Israel is conducting a "deliberate campaign of starvation" in the Gaza Strip, fundamentally undermining the health, well-being, and social structure of Palestinian life. The organization asserts that the ongoing hunger and disease are not merely incidental effects of military operations but rather result from orchestrated policies intended to bring about the “physical destruction” of Palestinian people. This declaration follows new testimonies from displaced civilians and medical professionals regarding starvation in the enclave, according to aa, scmp, aljazeera, and middleeasteye.

The recent report highlights that since the onset of conflict in October 2023, Israel's military actions have led to the deaths of over 62,000 Palestinians and have resulted in a significant humanitarian catastrophe. Erika Guevara-Rosas, senior director for research at Amnesty International, emphasized that the testimonies collected reflect not just individual suffering, but also serve as an indictment of the international community's failure to hold Israel accountable for its actions. The dire situation, characterized by famine and malnutrition, has been exacerbated by aggressive military strategies that restrict aid and destroy essential food production areas, as outlined by aa, scmp, and middleeasteye.

Testimonies from those affected reveal the extent of deprivation, as many have not consumed essential food items like meat and fresh vegetables for over a month. This scarcity not only highlights the severe shortage caused by Israel's blockade but also its broader implications on the physical and psychological health of the population, particularly vulnerable groups such as pregnant women and children, according to reports from both Amnesty and medical professionals scmp, aljazeera, middleeasteye.

UN representatives have indicated that the rampant starvation and malnutrition levels are unprecedented, with nearly 12,000 children under five affected by acute malnutrition. The situation has escalated as Israel maintains strict control over aid access, coinciding with claims of a systematic failure by the Israeli government to provide adequate humanitarian assistance. Both Amnesty and various international bodies have urged for immediate action to lift blockades and allow for unrestricted aid into the region, stressing that cosmetic measures are insufficient to address the deep-rooted issues faced by Gazans, according to aa, scmp, and aljazeera.