The World Health Organization has warned of a deepening humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza, citing a sharp rise in hunger-related deaths as Israel’s blockade and restrictions on humanitarian aid continue.

In a press briefing on Thursday, WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus stated:"Malnutrition is widespread in Gaza, and hunger-related deaths are increasing, raising serious international concern."

According to the organization, nearly 12,000 children under the age of five were diagnosed with severe acute malnutrition in July alone, placing them at grave risk of death or permanent health complications.

The WHO also reported that the ongoing blockade on food and medical aid has accelerated the collapse of Gaza’s already overwhelmed healthcare system, which is suffering from extreme shortages of essential medicines and supplies.

The agency called for the immediate reopening of all border crossings and the unrestricted flow of humanitarian aid, emphasizing that saving civilian lives in Gaza requires urgent and decisive international action.

Meanwhile, the United Nations confirmed that Gaza needs hundreds of aid trucks daily to address the famine caused by 22 months of Israeli-imposed siege and genocide.

Despite growing international pressure, Israel has only allowed limited aid trucks into the Strip, many of which, according to reports, have been looted under the protection of Israeli occupation forces.