UN Declares First Famine in Gaza As Israel Responds

A UN-backed global authority on food security has declared that famine is now occurring in Gaza City, a stark confirmation of the catastrophic human cost of the ongoing war. The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) initiative reported that after months of conflict and severe aid restrictions, the northern enclave has crossed the threshold into full-blown famine. The report projects this man-made disaster will likely spread across the entire Gaza Strip by the end of next month, placing over half a million people in the path of starvation, destitution, and death. This declaration marks the first official famine in the Middle East in modern history, turning months of warnings from aid groups into a horrifying reality.

How is a Famine Officially Declared?

The IPC declaration is not made lightly. It is a rigorous, multi-partner process based on specific, measurable criteria. For a famine to be declared, at least 20% of households must face an extreme lack of food, over 30% of children must be suffering from acute malnutrition, and at least two adults or four children for every 10,000 people must die each day from starvation or disease linked to malnutrition. The IPC’s assessment, based on data collected on the ground, confirms these thresholds have been breached in Gaza City. The situation is described as a catastrophic collapse of the systems required for human survival, primarily driven by conflict and restricted humanitarian access.

A Deepening Humanitarian Catastrophe

The human impact of this crisis is immeasurable. Palestinians are seen waiting for hours in desperate lines for scraps of food from charity kitchens, a scene now common across the war-torn territory. The report underscores that children are the most vulnerable, dying from preventable causes exacerbated by severe malnutrition and the collapse of the healthcare system. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres stated the famine represents a “moral indictment and a failure of humanity itself,” emphasizing that those with the duty to act are failing. The war, triggered by Hamas’s October 7th attack on Israel, has killed over 62,000 Palestinians according to Gaza health authorities, but the famine now threatens to claim countless more lives silently and inexorably.

Political Denials and Mounting Pressure

In a swift and forceful rebuttal, Israel’s government completely rejected the IPC’s findings. A statement from the Israeli ministry dismissed the report as being based on “Hamas lies laundered through organisations with vested interests,” asserting unequivocally that “there is no famine in Gaza.” Israeli officials pointed to a recent increase in aid trucks entering the territory and a subsequent decline in food prices as evidence that the situation is being managed. This denial sets the stage for intensified international pressure and legal scrutiny, as global leaders and humanitarian organizations call for immediate and unimpeded aid access to prevent further loss of life.

The declaration of famine in Gaza is a watershed moment, confirming the worst fears of the international community and creating an insurmountable rift with Israeli authorities. As the world grapples with this man-made disaster, the immediate and unconditional flow of humanitarian aid remains the only lifeline for hundreds of thousands facing starvation. The urgency for a political solution has never been greater, as the very fabric of survival unravels in Gaza.

Must Know

What does famine mean?
A famine declaration means a population is already experiencing extreme food shortages, leading to widespread malnutrition and death from starvation and disease. It is the highest level on the IPC food insecurity scale, indicating a catastrophic humanitarian emergency.

Why is there a famine in Gaza?
The famine is primarily a result of the ongoing conflict, which has destroyed infrastructure and crippled the economy. Most critically, severe restrictions on the entry and distribution of sufficient humanitarian aid have prevented food, water, and medicine from reaching those in need.

How many people are affected by the Gaza famine?
The IPC report states that over half a million people in Gaza are facing catastrophic food insecurity conditions. It projects that number could rise to 614,000—nearly a third of the population—by the end of September if the situation does not improve.

What is Israel’s response to the famine report?
Israel has categorically denied the report’s findings. Its government calls the assessment a politically motivated document based on false information from Hamas and insists that there is no famine, citing recent increases in aid deliveries.

What is the death toll in the Israel-Hamas war?
According to tallies from Gaza’s health authorities, Israel’s military campaign has killed more than 62,000 Palestinians since the war began on October 7, 2023. This figure includes both combatants and civilians.