WASHINGTON (July 23, 2025) The following statement can be attributed to Eric Mitchell, President of the Alliance to End Hunger.
“Recent reports of violence surrounding food distributions and child deaths from starvation in Gaza highlight the terrible toll of the ongoing conflict. There are 900,000 children going hungry, and 70,000 already show signs of malnutrition, according to Gaza’s health ministry. Nearly one in three Gazans is not eating for days on end. According to a recent World Food Programme assessment, one quarter of the population is facing famine-like conditions.
Food aid is the only way for most people who have been displaced to access nutrition, and only a significant increase in food aid distribution can alleviate the extreme levels of hunger in the territory.
However, the death of civilians trying to access needed food being delivered by the World Food Programme earlier this week underscores the breakdown of humanitarian assistance. The fact that this incident could occur demonstrates the dangerous conditions under which humanitarian operations are being conducted in Gaza.
The Alliance to End Hunger is deeply saddened by the scope of this tragedy. Armed groups should never be near or on aid convoys, and violence involving civilians seeking aid is unacceptable and must end immediately.
We are calling for a surge in food aid and a reassessment of aid distribution. Humanitarian actors must have access to Gazan civilians to ensure they safely receive essential food supplies. We call on all relevant parties to facilitate peaceful delivery of critically needed aid.”
