Thousands of families in Gaza now depend entirely on humanitarian aid as Israeli attacks destroy local farmland and businesses [1], [2].

The collapse of local livelihoods creates a precarious dependency on international donors. As funding dries up and blockades limit the entry of supplies, the region faces a widening gap between the available resources and the needs of the population.

In Central Gaza, including Deir al-Balah and the eastern Al-Bureij displacement camp, families struggle to find basic necessities [2], [3]. The destruction of agricultural lands and commercial enterprises has stripped residents of their ability to provide for themselves—leaving them vulnerable to fluctuations in global aid.

United Nations officials warned that approximately 66% of Gaza's population could go hungry by the end of the year [1]. This projection comes as donor fatigue reduces the financial support necessary to maintain food distribution networks.

Several thousand families are reported to be completely reliant on these dwindling aid streams [2]. Among them are elderly residents, such as 86-year-old Jadallah Masran, who face the combined pressures of age and food insecurity [3].

The crisis is compounded by restrictive measures. A blockade has limited the flow of aid into the territory [4]. Violence has also occurred near distribution points, where at least 18 people were killed [5].

Aid organizations report that the combination of destroyed infrastructure and a lack of consistent funding makes sustainable recovery nearly impossible without a change in the security situation. The loss of farmland means that even if funding returns, the capacity to produce food locally has been severely compromised [1], [2].

“Two-thirds of Gaza’s population could go hungry by the end of the year”

The transition from a self-sustaining local economy to total aid dependency creates a systemic risk for the region. With the destruction of farmland and the simultaneous decline in international funding, the population is facing a structural hunger crisis that cannot be solved by temporary food drops alone, but requires the restoration of basic economic infrastructure.