‘Horror show’: Plea to evacuate Gaza journalists as hunger crisis reaches tipping point

One of the world’s biggest news agencies says it refuses to watch workers starve to death, as global patience runs thin on Gaza crisis.

A major news agency has pleaded for its contributors to be evacuated from Gaza amid fears they could starve to death during the strip’s humanitarian crisis and blockade.

Agence France-Presse (AFP) called on Israel to allow freelance journalists and their families to leave the Palestinian territory, saying they faced an “appalling situation”.

“For months, we have been helplessly witnessing the dramatic deterioration of their living conditions,” AFP said in a statement overnight.

“Their situation is now untenable, despite their exemplary courage, professional commitment, and resilience.”

The plea comes as Gaza authorities report 21 children died due to malnutrition and starvation over the past three days, and UN head Antonio Gutteres described events in Gaza as a “horror show”.

A six-week-old baby was among 15 people who died in a single day, according to local health officials.

The head of Gaza's largest hospital said 21 children have died due to starvation in the past three days. Picture: Omar al-Qattaa/AFP

Global outcry has also intensified over reports of civilians being shot dead at aid centres, with UN officials saying more than 1000 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces at food distribution sites since late May.

Israel has also been blamed for attacking warehousing and staff living areas at Gaza’s main aid hub in Deor al-Balah, which housed World Health Organization staff.

‘Refuse to see them die’

The AFP’s journalist union says one freelance writer, three photographers and six video freelancers remained in Gaza a long 21 months into the war.

In a post on X, the union shared a devastating missive from one of its members written on July 19.

“I don’t have the power to cover media anymore,” photographer Bashar Taleb wrote.

“My body is lean and I no longer have the ability to walk.

“Gaza. 19.7.2025.”

AFP journalist Bashar Taleb in the Gaza Strip on December 10, 2024. Picture: AFP

The union said he had been living in the same conditions as all Gazans, and “for over a year, he has lived in complete destitution and works at enormous risk to his life”.

“Since AFP was founded in August 1944, we have lost journalists in conflicts, we have had wounded and prisoners in our ranks, but none of us can recall seeing a colleague die of hunger,” the union said.

“We refuse to see them die.”

‘Living the catastrophe’

The director of Al-Shifa hospital in Gaza, Mohammed Abu Salmiya, warned on Tuesday that Gaza was heading towards “alarming numbers of deaths” due to lack of food.

He said new cases of starvation were arriving at the hospital “every moment”, following the deaths of nearly two dozen children from malnutrition in recent days.

“We are heading towards alarming numbers of deaths due to the starvation inflicted on the people of Gaza,” Mr Abu Salmiya said.

Men carry sacks of flour that were taken from a raided truck in Khan Yunis, southern Gaza. Picture: AFP

AFP journalist Ahlam Afana, 30, said an exhausting “cash crisis” – from exorbitant bank charges and sky-high prices for food – was adding to the issue.

She said the costs of every day items such as rice, pasta, oil and fruit were sky high: “We can’t afford them. I don’t even remember how they taste.

Mourners carry the body of a Palestinian youth, 14, who died of starvation. Picture: AFP

“The danger isn’t just the bombing. Hunger is slowly killing our bodies and threatening our ability to carry on.

“Now, I’m not just reporting the news. I’m living the catastrophe and documenting it at the same time.”

Another contributor based in Gaza City, Khadr Al-Zanoun, said he had lost 30 kilograms since the war began. His family was “barely hanging on”, he said.

Global patience wears thin

More than 1000 people have been killed trying to get aid since the US- and Israel-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) started operations, the UN said overnight.

An officially private effort, the GHF began operations on May 26 after Israel halted supplies into the Gaza Strip for more than two months, sparking famine warnings.

An explosion seen during Israeli air and ground operations in the Gaza Strip on July 22, 2025. Picture: AP Photo/Leo Correa

GHF operations have been marred by chaotic scenes and near-daily reports of Israeli forces firing on people waiting to collect rations in the Palestinian territory, where the Israeli military is seeking to destroy Hamas.

UN human rights office spokesman Thameen Al-Kheetan said since July 21, 1054 people were killed in Gaza while trying to get food.

He added: “766 of them were killed in the vicinity of GHF sites and 288 near UN and other humanitarian organisations’ aid convoys”.

This week 28 nations – including Australia, the UK, France and Canada – penned an open statement calling for an immediate end to the war and release of remaining hostages.

Anthony Albanese said he had shared his thoughts with Israel. Picture: NewsWire/Joseph Olbrycht-Palmer

United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres. Picture: Timothy A. Clary/AFP

“The Israeli government’s denial of essential humanitarian assistance to the civilian population is unacceptable,” the statement read.

“Israel must comply with its obligations under international humanitarian law.”

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese at the weekend described recent events in Gaza as “completely indefensible” and said Israel was fast losing international support.

The joint statement of western nations was criticised by Israel as “disconnected from reality”, while the US ambassador to Israel called it “disgusting”.

UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy, however, said he was “sickened” at events in Gaza and called the current aid scheme “a grotesque spectacle”.