The United Nations has declared a famine in Gaza, stating that humanitarian aid restrictions by Israel have contributed to a catastrophic food crisis, with dire consequences for children and families in the region.
UN Declares Famine in Gaza as Humanitarian Crisis Escalates
UN Declares Famine in Gaza as Humanitarian Crisis Escalates
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres calls the recently confirmed famine in Gaza a profound failure of humanity, highlighting severe food insecurity affecting over half a million residents.
The United Nations has officially confirmed a famine in Gaza, labeling it a "failure of humanity" that has emerged from what Secretary-General Antonio Guterres describes as a "man-made disaster". The UN's Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) has escalated its food insecurity classification for parts of Gaza to Phase 5—the most severe level—indicating that over half a million people are facing catastrophic conditions marked by severe malnutrition and potential death.
Israel has denied the claims of widespread starvation, calling the IPC report an "outright lie," and contradicting numerous humanitarian organizations and witnesses on the ground. The UN claims that Israeli restrictions on aid entering Gaza are continuing, which Israel disputes. The IPC urgently calls for an "immediate, at-scale response" to avert further famine-related deaths, warning that the situation could escalate significantly if actions are not taken.
In the coming months, nearly a third of Gaza's 2.2 million inhabitants—approximately 641,000 people—are projected to experience exacerbated food insecurity, while the number facing emergency conditions could reach 1.14 million, constituting 58% of the population. Since the war began, malnutrition has caused the deaths of 271 individuals, including 112 children.
Residents like Reem Tawfiq Khader share their harrowing tales, as she describes the plight of her five children who have not consumed protein in five months and whose diets lack basic fruits and vegetables. "My youngest doesn't even know what fruit tastes like," she laments.
In response to the crisis, UN aid chief Tom Fletcher emphasized the preventable nature of the hunger crisis, attributing it to systematic obstruction of food supplies by Israel. Guterres condemned the conditions as a failure of global humanity and called on Israel to fulfill its obligations under international law, which includes ensuring access to food and medical supplies.
Philippe Lazzarini, head of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, stated this famine is "starvation by design," urging for more significant aid efforts. The human rights chief referred to the famine as a direct result of Israeli government actions restricting aid, while the UK Foreign Secretary labeled it a "moral outrage."
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reinforced that Israel does not have a starvation policy, asserting that 2 million tons of aid have entered Gaza since the war onset, equivalent to over one ton per person. However, international groups have criticized this claim amidst reports of persistent supply insufficiencies.
Despite some humanitarian airdrops and designated corridors for aid, these measures have not quelled the growing concerns. The UN emphasized that the current daily intake of 300 aid trucks is insufficient when the evident need stands at 600 trucks per day.
As Israel readies for an expansion of military operations in Gaza, the humanitarian situation is critically deteriorating, with over 62,122 reported deaths due to conflict, and a significant portion of Gaza's population displaced amid the rubble of war.
