Gaza City and its surrounding area is now experiencing famine, a UN-backed body of food security experts has confirmed.
The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC), which is used by governments and international bodies to identify food insecurity and malnutrition levels around the world, has raised its classification to Phase 5 – the highest and most severe.
It says that over half a million people across the Gaza Strip are facing “catastrophic” conditions characterised by “starvation, destitution and death”.
Israel continues to restrict the amount of aid entering Gaza. It denies there is starvation in Gaza and said the IPC report was based on Hamas lies.
The IPC says that this is the most severe deterioration since it started analysing acute food insecurity and malnutrition in Gaza, and marks the first time a famine has been officially confirmed in the Middle East.
It predicts that between mid-August and the end of September, famine will expand to Deir al-Balah and Khan Younis.
During this period, almost a third of the population—nearly 641,000 people—are expected to face catastrophic conditions in IPC Phase 5, while the number of people in IPC Phase 4 will likely increase to 1.14 million.
The IPC cannot officially declare famine – that is usually done by governments or the United Nations. But this new classification – which is rarely reached and is very significant – may trigger the UN to do so.
The IPC report comes as Israel prepares to launch a new military offensive aimed at occupying Gaza City.
Israeli military launched a campaign in Gaza in response to the Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on 7 October 2023, in which about 1,200 people were killed and 251 others were taken hostage.
At least 62,122 people have been killed in Gaza since then, according to the territory’s Hamas-run health ministry.
Most of Gaza’s population has also been displaced multiple times; more than 90% of homes are estimated to be damaged or destroyed; the healthcare, water, sanitation and hygiene systems have collapsed.
