Gaza’s Food System Collapses Under Blockade as Hunger Reaches New Extremes

May 12, 2025

A new Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) report released today confirms the worst fears of humanitarian agencies: Gaza’s hunger crisis has reached catastrophic levels, with 1.95 million people — 93 percent of the population — now facing crisis or worse conditions (IPC Phase 3), and the entire population—more than 2 million people—experiencing critical risk of famine. The report projects that 470,000 people will face catastrophic, famine-like conditions (IPC Phase 5) through the end of September. This assessment follows months of escalating humanitarian access restrictions, including a blockade of aid and commercial goods, that has shattered food systems and nearly incapacitated all aid delivery across the Strip.  

Kate Phillips-Barrasso, Mercy Corps Vice President of Global Policy and Advocacy, says:      

 “The fact that the entire population of Gaza is now facing emergency levels of hunger with over 244,000 people in catastrophic conditions and 925,000 people on the brink of starvation is horrifying, but tragically not surprising. This catastrophe did not unfold in the dark; it happened in plain sight. After more than two months of total blockade, Gaza’s food system has collapsed, humanitarian operations are paralyzed, and people are starving. Families are in pure survival mode—hungry, exhausted, and displaced. 

“Now, as needs reach their highest, the threat of a new military offensive looms—one that could force nearly the entire population into the shattered remnants of Rafah. This would only accelerate the spread of disease and hunger, with thousands crammed into unsafe shelters or left completely exposed, competing for what little food and resources remain. Other critical infrastructure— water, sanitation, and healthcare—has already been decimated. We are especially alarmed by the growing lack of access to clean water.

“Mercy Corps was preparing to provide water and community sanitation with our local partners when the latest round of funding cuts abruptly halted those efforts, leaving 245,000 households without any alternative for clean drinking water. By January, more than 90% of Rafah’s wells and reservoirs were damaged, and water production had plummeted to just 5% of pre-war levels. Half of the area’s water and sanitation assets are now trapped in Israel’s so-called buffer zone, making them inaccessible. Without clean water, the risk of deadly disease and death will only grow. 

“Our team members inside Gaza are surviving on the cheapest staples they can find—lentils, fava beans, dry chickpeas—if anything is available at all. A single sack of flour, once a basic item, now sells for up to 1,700 shekels, or nearly $480. These last supplies will not last much longer. 

“The people of Gaza are enduring one of the most harrowing humanitarian crises in recent history. Every moment without a ceasefire, unrestricted humanitarian access, and the restoration of essential services pushes more people toward starvation, disease, and death. All barriers to food, water, and aid must be lifted now—before even more lives are lost. “ 

A Mercy Corps team member in Gaza going by the alias Areej, said:   

“People no longer care about bombs, rockets, or even death. What consumes them now is food. How to find it. How to feed their children. It is impossible to describe how hard life has become. People walk around in a daze, dizzy from malnutrition and despair, fainting in the street. They look like skin and bones. If you saw them, you would break down and cry.” 

Since October 2023, Mercy Corps has reached over 350,000 people with emergency items—food baskets, hygiene and shelter kits--and nearly 190,000 people with emergency cash assistance. Mercy Corps has had life-saving assistance waiting at the border for months unable to distribute in-kind humanitarian commodities due to the blockade. As soon as the borders open our teams and partners on the ground will be able to distribute to over 160,000 and to support millions more through humanitarian partners. 

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