The United Nations has declared a famine in Gaza City and nearby areas, with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres labeling it a “man-made disaster.” This declaration follows a report from the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC), which has raised the food insecurity status in parts of Gaza to Phase 5—the highest level of severity. The report indicates that over half a million individuals in Gaza are experiencing “catastrophic” conditions linked to starvation and death.
Israel has disputed the findings, labeling the report as an “outright lie” and denying any starvation in the territory. Tensions have arisen over allegations that Israel is restricting aid to Gaza—claims that Israel contests. Humanitarian groups, eyewitness accounts, and several nations, including the UK, assert that aid is inadequate and that more than 100 groups have supported these claims.
The IPC emphasizes the urgency for a comprehensive response to avert an escalation in famine-related fatalities. Predictions suggest the famine could extend further into Gaza by late September, threatening nearly 641,000 people with “catastrophic conditions.” Additionally, approximately 1.14 million individuals are expected to face emergency conditions.
Gaza’s health ministry has reported that malnutrition has claimed the lives of 271 individuals, including 112 children, since the onset of the conflict. The IPC report states that action is necessary to prevent a worsening humanitarian crisis, with warnings about the potential long-term impacts on children’s health.
UN representatives have criticized the Israeli government for its role in the current situation, suggesting that the famine is a result of systematic obstruction of aid. Conversely, Israeli officials claim their policy aims to prevent starvation and that substantial aid has been delivered to the region. The ongoing military actions in Gaza, aiming to address the situation since a Hamas-led attack in October 2023, have also contributed to the crisis, leading to widespread destruction and displacement among the local population.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c05ed5rgld3o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss