Through June 2026, at least 132,000 children under five are expected to suffer from acute malnutrition—double the IPC estimates from May 2025. This includes over 41,000 severe cases of children at heightened risk of death. Nearly 55,500 malnourished pregnant and breastfeeding women will require urgent nutrition response. Significant disparities in food access have led to large segments of the population consuming diets that fall extremely short in both nutritional quantity and quality. Nutrition supplies for treating and preventing acute malnutrition are close to depletion due to entry restrictions, which may force health facilities to halt treatment. Furthermore, the limited supplies that have entered have been frequently intercepted, further undermining efforts to meet the needs of vulnerable populations.

Water, sanitation, and healthcare infrastructure across the Gaza Strip have suffered extensive damage, particularly during the ground incursion on 20 July. Access to safe drinking water, hygiene and sanitation services is extremely limited. In July, 96 percent of households experienced moderate to high water insecurity. Poor sewage systems, open defecation, and overcrowding have fuelled a surge in infectious diseases among children, including acute watery diarrhoea. In Deir al-Balah, cases rose from 3,500 in April to 5,400 in July, while Gaza Governorate saw an increase from 7,900 to 9,000 in the same period.

As of 13 August, only 18 out of 36 hospitals were partially functional and only 39 percent of primary health care centres were functional, limiting people’s access to essential health services. Coverage of critical nutrition and vaccination programmes is far below global standards, leaving children and pregnant women at heightened risk of disease, malnutrition and preventable deaths.

Famine is a race against time, and every effort by all actors counts. Immediate and decisive actions will save lives and alleviate suffering.

• Immediate and sustained cessation of hostilities To prevent further loss of life and famine from spreading further, an immediate ceasefire and putting an end to the conflict is critical.
• Guarantee unconditional and safe humanitarian access Safe, stable, and unhindered access must be guaranteed through all entry points, in full respect of international humanitarian law, allowing for lifesaving assistance and essential services to reach all people in need across the Gaza Strip. Access must also be granted urgently to allow for a comprehensive humanitarian assessment, in particular in North Gaza Governorate.
• Immediate, large-scale, unobstructed multi-sector humanitarian assistance is needed to avert further destitution, starvation and death. This includes the provision of food, nutrition, health, WASH, shelter, fuel, cooking gas and food production inputs, while safeguarding humanitarian principles. This is also the only way to stop the interception of aid trucks by desperate populations.
• Protect civilians and critical infrastructure Ensure the safety of civilians and humanitarian personnel across the Gaza Strip. Protect and restore critical infrastructure essential for survival and for the functioning of food, health and WASH systems.
• Restore commercial flows at scale, market systems, essential services, and local food production.