On May 12th, 2025, the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) issued an alert that all of Gaza is at the Emergency stage (IPC Phase 4 out of 5). Over 250,000 people are currently facing starvation conditions due to a severe lack of food and diversity in nutrition, and this number is expected to double if conditions do not improve. There are currently 71,000 children under the age of five with acute malnutrition, of which 14,100 have severe cases and face the risk of death. Between now and April 2026, approximately 18,400 pregnant and breastfeeding women are expected to need malnutrition treatment to prevent irreversible and life-threatening health problems for both mothers and babies.
This alert shows a major deterioration from the previous analysis in October 2024, when 93% of Gaza was classified in Crisis (IPC Phase 3 or above). The escalation of food insecurity has occurred over two months of total siege in which no humanitarian aid — including food, water, medical aid, and other supplies essential to the survival of the civilian population — has entered Gaza. The IPC warns that if the situation continues or deteriorates, famine will be imminent. “The only thing keeping Palestinians from famine right now is humanitarian assistance,” says Natalia Anguera, Country Director for Action Against Hunger. “Our teams in Gaza have distributed the last of our remaining dry food parcels, with only items for one community kitchen remaining. Many other organizations ran out weeks ago.”
In April, Action Against Hunger assessed caregivers of over 1,000 children under five across three governorates in Gaza and measured reports of children going without food when hungry or skipping meals. In the Middle Area, one in three respondents reported that their children had recently gone an entire day without eating. Across the three governates, it was revealed that all children faced food insecurity. Alarmingly, one in two children were found to be either moderately or severely food insecure. Action Against Hunger’s teams in Gaza report that, since the beginning of April, more children have been admitted for the first time to acute malnutrition treatment programs than in the first three months of 2025 total. The rate of malnutrition in children has reached some of the worst levels the teams have ever seen.
“I work as a breastfeeding counselor with Action Against Hunger. With every consultation, my worst fear gets confirmed: there is no end to this crisis. The situation is growing more catastrophic, and the acute shortage of aid and assistance is alarming,” shares an Action Against Hunger staff member in Gaza. “Breastfeeding and pregnant women face double the risk. Their bodies are exhausted from pregnancy and childbirth while they endure prolonged food deprivation and a severe lack of all the necessities of health and nutrition.”
Since the start of the siege, over 177 community kitchens and bakeries have been forcibly closed. The cost of wheat flour – a household staple – has increased over 3,000% since February 2025, now costing between $235 USD to $520 USD per 55 pounds across Gaza. Continuing to block the entrance of food will cause famine. Action Against Hunger reiterates its demands to all parties to the conflict to immediately and unconditionally re-open all border crossings, establish an immediate and permanent ceasefire, and protect civilians and civilian infrastructure.
