Imagine seeing utter devastation and hunger firsthand, where children are unrecognizable from malnutrition. That’s what WFP Chief Cindy McCain witnessed in Gaza, demanding an immediate surge of aid to avert further catastrophe. What will it take for the world to respond to this escalating crisis?

World Food Program Executive Director Cindy McCain has delivered a stark warning following her recent visit to Gaza, describing a landscape of unimaginable destruction, escalating desperation, and profound hunger that demands an immediate and overwhelming surge of humanitarian assistance into the war-ravaged Palestinian territory. Her firsthand account underscores a rapidly deteriorating situation where millions face acute food insecurity.

McCain’s visit occurred just days after a critical report by food security experts officially declared that Gaza City, located in the northern Gaza Strip, is enduring the most severe levels of famine, a direct consequence of the ongoing conflict and the sustained blockade of essential humanitarian supplies. The international community is increasingly alarmed by the deliberate obstruction of aid, which constitutes a grave violation of international humanitarian law.

Highlighting the critical urgency, McCain emphatically stated that Gaza stands at a breaking point, with desperation reaching unprecedented levels. The World Food Program is desperately working to reactivate its extensive and trusted network of over 200 food distribution points, community kitchens, and bakeries across the Strip. Establishing the necessary conditions for safe and unimpeded access is paramount to reaching the most vulnerable populations and preventing further loss of life.

During her impactful visit to Deir al-Balah in central Gaza, McCain witnessed the devastating human toll of the crisis, including a nutrition clinic where starving children received treatment for severe malnutrition. She met with displaced Palestinian mothers who recounted the near-impossible struggle to secure food for their families, often resorting to desperate measures, even searching for scraps, simply to keep their children alive. These heart-wrenching stories vividly illustrate the man-made nature of the current starvation crisis.

The humanitarian situation is further complicated by reports of civilians attempting to access aid from facilities like the US-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, where alleged incidents of violence against starving civilians have been documented. The widespread obliteration of Gaza’s healthcare infrastructure significantly impedes doctors’ ability to provide life-saving care, leaving many with treatable wounds to succumb to their injuries, exacerbating the already dire circumstances.

While Israel recently stated it would temporarily allow a trickle of assistance after international condemnation regarding the weaponization of food, the WFP noted only a “slight uptick” in aid, averaging approximately 100 trucks daily. This amount is woefully insufficient to meet the colossal needs of Gaza’s population, with half a million people facing acute starvation and many more teetering on the brink. McCain reiterated the desperate need for secure routes and sustained access to deliver aid at the scale this unprecedented crisis demands.

Beyond Gaza, McCain engaged in high-level discussions, meeting with Mohammad Mustafa, the Prime Minister of the State of Palestine in the occupied West Bank, and subsequently with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and leaders from COGAT. Despite overwhelming evidence presented by humanitarian agencies and experts, COGAT maintains that Palestinians receive adequate aid, and Netanyahu continues to deny the existence of famine in Gaza, illustrating a significant disconnect regarding the reality on the ground.

McCain issued a stern warning that if Israel fails to facilitate an immediate and substantial surge of aid into the territory, Deir al-Balah is poised to receive a famine classification in the coming month, mirroring the catastrophic situation in Gaza City. She underscored that this engineered famine in Gaza would intensify malnutrition not only among Palestinian civilians but also for Israeli hostages held within the territory, making a political resolution even more critical.

Ultimately, the WFP chief stressed that a comprehensive ceasefire is the fundamental prerequisite for effectively scaling up humanitarian aid to reach those most vulnerable inside Gaza, ensuring the safe return of all hostages, and establishing a much-needed foundation for sustainable peace and stability in the volatile region. This humanitarian call intertwines deeply with the complex political landscape, demanding immediate international action.