In a historic and heartbreaking announcement, the United Nations has officially declared a famine in Gaza1 the first time the United Nations has made such a declaration in the Middle East. According to the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC), more than 500,000 people are now facing catastrophic levels of hunger, marked by extreme starvation and preventable deaths.
The IPC assessment, conducted by FAO, UNICEF, WFP and WHO, shows famine has spread from Gaza City southward into Deir al-Balah and Khan Younis. By the end of September, the report warns over 640,000 people could be in catastrophic conditions, an additional 1.14 million at emergency levels, and nearly 400,000 in crisis. All critical thresholds for food deprivation, acute malnutrition and hunger-related fatalities have been breached.
Child malnutrition has surged to unprecedented levels, with more than 12,000 cases of acute malnutrition identified in July alone1 a sixfold increase since January. Projections indicate that by mid-2026, around 43,400 children and 55,000 pregnant or breastfeeding women could face life-threatening malnutrition.
Nearly all cropland in Gaza has been destroyed or rendered inaccessible, and the health system has collapsed under severe shortages of food, fuel, water and medical supplies. Sporadic aid deliveries and a surge in infectious diseases are compounding the crisis.
UN agencies warn that intensified military operations and ongoing restrictions on humanitarian access could further worsen the situation. They stress that an immediate ceasefire and a large-scale humanitarian response are essential to saving lives, especially among children, the elderly and people with disabilities.
UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator Tom Fletcher told journalists in Geneva that the famine unfolding in Gaza “could have been prevented,” pointing to food supplies stalled outside the border amid what he described as systematic obstruction. He urged an immediate ceasefire and the opening of all supply routes to allow unhindered aid delivery.
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk echoed the call, stating that the famine in Gaza is a direct result of actions restricting the entry and distribution of humanitarian assistance. He urged all parties to remove barriers and protect civilians from further harm.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
