Gaza: A Child Dies Every 40 Minutes as Entire Population Faces Famine, UN Warns

Gaza has become the most food-insecure place on Earth, according to the United Nations, as Israeli attacks continue to devastate the civilian population, particularly women and children.

In a dire announcement, the Gaza Health Ministry revealed that a child dies every 40 minutes and a woman every hour due to ongoing military operations in the besieged enclave. Since the war began in October 2023, at least 16,854 children have lost their lives, representing 31.5% of total casualties. Tragically, 931 of them were infants under one year old.

UN: “100% of Gaza’s Population at Risk of Famine”

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) painted a bleak picture of the humanitarian situation. Jens Laerke, OCHA spokesperson, emphasized the unprecedented scale of the crisis:

“Gaza is the hungriest place on Earth… It’s the only defined territory where 100% of the population is at risk of famine.”

On May 29, chaos erupted as tens of thousands of Palestinians swarmed new aid distribution sites managed by a US- and Israeli-supported foundation. Witnesses described chaotic scenes of people scrambling for food, and alleged that Israeli troops fired live rounds to disperse crowds, deepening public outrage.

Ceasefire Proposal Rejected by Hamas

Amid rising pressure, the White House announced Israel had approved a new ceasefire proposal and passed it to Hamas for review. However, Hamas official Bassem Naim criticized the deal, claiming it would mean “continued killing and famine.”

The proposal reportedly includes a 60-day truce (possibly extendable to 70 days), along with an exchange of hostages and bodies for Palestinian prisoners in the first week. Still, Hamas leadership said it is reviewing the offer in full.

Macron: Europe Must Toughen Stance on Israel

Speaking from France on May 30, President Emmanuel Macron called for a hardened collective stance by European nations if Israel fails to improve the humanitarian situation in Gaza.

“We need action in the next few hours and days,” Macron declared, adding that recognizing a Palestinian state under the right conditions is “not only a moral duty, but a political necessity.”

As global condemnation grows, especially from humanitarian organizations and European leaders, the window for a peaceful resolution narrows. The figures from Gaza reflect more than a tragedy—they highlight the urgent need for international intervention before the crisis reaches irreversible proportions.