Over 640,000 Gazans Face Catastrophic Hunger Amid Continued Rocket Barrages

Gaza City – Two rockets were launched from the Gaza Strip towards Israel on Sunday morning, with one intercepted and the other landing in an open area near the border, according to the Israel Defense Forces. This incident comes as a recent report by the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) confirmed that over 640,000 people in the Gaza Strip are currently facing catastrophic levels of food insecurity, with famine conditions already present in Gaza Governorate.

The rocket fire, for which Palestinian Islamic Jihad claimed responsibility, triggered air-raid sirens in communities near the Gaza border, including Netivot. This marks a continuation of sporadic rocket attacks from the enclave, even as the humanitarian situation within Gaza deteriorates significantly. The latest launches follow a period of intensified Israeli military operations in Gaza City.

The dire humanitarian crisis in Gaza has been underscored by a recent IPC analysis, which confirmed famine in Gaza Governorate as of August 22, 2025. The report projects that these famine conditions will spread to Deir Al Balah and Khan Younis Governorates by the end of September. United Nations agencies, including FAO, UNICEF, WFP, and WHO, have consistently highlighted the extreme urgency for a full-scale humanitarian response, noting escalating hunger-related deaths and rapidly worsening levels of acute malnutrition.

The presence of continued rocket capabilities amidst widespread starvation has drawn sharp commentary. As noted in a recent tweet by Eyal Yakoby, "> Gaza just fired two rockets at Israel this morning. How do they not have enough food, while having enough rockets?" This sentiment reflects a broader public query regarding the allocation of resources within the besieged territory.

Despite a prolonged blockade, militant groups like Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad have demonstrated an ongoing ability to acquire and produce rockets. Intelligence reports indicate that weapons are obtained through a combination of smuggling via underground tunnels, local manufacturing using repurposed materials from unexploded ordnance, and significant financial and technical support, primarily from Iran. The blockade, while intended to prevent weapon proliferation, has been limited in its success, with groups adapting to produce their own armaments.

The humanitarian community continues to call for an immediate ceasefire and unhindered access for aid to address the escalating crisis. The UNRWA reported that since March 2025, it has not been allowed to bring humanitarian aid, including food and medicines, into the Gaza Strip, further exacerbating the severe shortages. The ongoing conflict and restrictions on aid movement complicate efforts to alleviate the widespread hunger, even as militant factions maintain their military capabilities.