Several United Nations (UN) agencies have issued a stark warning against the use of starvation as a weapon of war, as malnutrition rates in Gaza reach alarming levels. This condemnation was voiced during the UN Food Systems Summit Stocktake in Addis Ababa, where Secretary-General António Guterres emphasized that "hunger fuels instability and undermines peace," asserting that it should never be weaponized.

The recent decision by Israel to allow a temporary increase in humanitarian aid has been met with both relief and urgency by the UN. Tom Fletcher, UN Emergency Relief Coordinator, acknowledged the move as progress but stressed the critical need for substantial aid to prevent famine and a severe health crisis in Gaza. Despite these measures, the situation remains dire, with the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) reporting that one in five children in Gaza is malnourished, and the death toll from starvation has surpassed 100 as of late July 2025.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has denied any policy of starvation in Gaza. Contrarily, the World Food Programme (WFP) revealed that the entire under-five population in Gaza, amounting to over 320,000 children, is at risk of acute malnutrition. Additionally, about 500,000 residents are experiencing famine-like conditions, with food scarcity so severe that it has caused several UN staff members to collapse from starvation while on duty.

This crisis not only represents a humanitarian disaster but also violates multiple international legal standards. According to customary international humanitarian law, the Geneva Conventions' Additional Protocols, and international criminal law, starving civilian populations as a method of warfare is expressly prohibited.

In response to the ongoing crisis, the UN is hosting a high-level conference aimed at advocating for a two-state solution to the Israel-Palestine conflict. Notable developments include France's upcoming recognition of Palestinian statehood in September and a warning from the UK that it might recognize Palestinian statehood if Israeli actions in Gaza continue.

This situation in Gaza highlights the urgent need for international solidarity and action to prevent further humanitarian and legal violations in conflict zones.