Food security and child nutrition have improved across the Gaza Strip following a significant expansion of humanitarian assistance, but the United Nations has warned that the gains remain fragile amid continued restrictions on access, funding shortages and the collapse of livelihoods.
A new Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) analysis released on July 23, 2026, by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), UNICEF and the World Food Programme (WFP) found that sustained humanitarian food, nutrition, agricultural and health assistance had contributed to better conditions since late 2025.
However, the agencies cautioned that recovery remains dependent on continued aid and greater commercial access.
According to the assessment, an estimated 1.4 million people, representing 67% of Gaza's population, are experiencing crisis or worse levels of acute food insecurity, down from 1.6 million people, or 77%, at the end of last year. It also found that about 212,000 people remain in Emergency conditions, particularly in areas close to the Israeli military-controlled line where humanitarian access remains difficult.
The report further projected that four governorates – North Gaza, Gaza, Deir Al-Balah and Khan Younis – would continue facing alert levels of child malnutrition.
The agencies said humanitarian assistance had expanded considerably following the October 2025 ceasefire agreement. In May 2026 alone, food parcels reached around 1.5 million people, multipurpose cash assistance benefited about 700,000 people, and nutrition support reached 60% of children under the age of five.
By comparison, in September 2025 only about 500,000 people received food assistance, while nutrition coverage for children under five stood at less than 1%.
Despite the improvements, the agencies warned that food rations remain inadequate in quantity, quality and dietary diversity, while commercial imports of fresh produce and protein continue to be inconsistent.
Some 74,000 children are expected to require treatment for acute malnutrition over the next year, alongside approximately 25,000 pregnant and breastfeeding women needing nutrition support.
The report also highlighted limited progress in restoring livelihoods, noting that more than 70% of Gaza's cropland remains inaccessible and only 3% is currently usable, severely limiting local food production.
"Food security in Gaza cannot recover unless local food production starts again and farmers, herders, fishers and other producers can rebuild their livelihoods," said FAO Director-General QU Dongyu.
He added: "Producers need access to farmland and the sea, and to seeds, tools, livestock supplies and other agricultural inputs, as well as technical support. Restrictions on agricultural imports and humanitarian supplies must be lifted. Without these essentials, food production and security will remain a pressing situation."
WFP Acting Executive Director Carl Skau warned that "there is progress on food security in Gaza, but it is fragile and can easily be reversed," while UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell said declining malnutrition rates showed that "when humanitarian access improves and aid gets through, children can be pulled back from the brink."
The three agencies appealed for increased international funding and sustained humanitarian access, warning that without additional resources, the lives of Gaza's 2.1 million residents could once again face heightened risk.