The Gaza Strip is officially experiencing famine, according to the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC), a leading authority on food crises. This dire situation has emerged primarily in Gaza City, which is home to hundreds of thousands of Palestinians, and it is expected to extend to other areas such as Deir al-Balah and Khan Younis by the end of September 2023 if the ongoing military conflict and humanitarian restrictions do not cease.
The IPC’s announcement marks a significant milestone as it is the first confirmed famine in the Middle East. This development is likely to intensify international scrutiny on Israel, which has been engaged in a conflict with Hamas since the militant group’s attack on October 7, 2023. The ongoing hostilities have severely hampered humanitarian efforts, leading to alarming levels of starvation among Palestinian civilians, particularly children.
The IPC’s findings reveal that more than half a million people in Gaza, nearly a quarter of the population, are facing catastrophic hunger. Many individuals are at risk of dying from malnutrition-related causes. The report highlights how the combination of military operations, aid blockades, mass displacement, and the collapse of local food production has driven hunger to life-threatening levels across the region.
In July 2023, the IPC warned that the “worst-case scenario of famine” was unfolding in Gaza but refrained from making an official declaration at that time. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has publicly denied the existence of widespread hunger in Gaza, labeling claims of starvation as “lies” propagated by Hamas. Following the release of images depicting emaciated children and reports of hunger-related fatalities, Israel announced measures to increase the flow of humanitarian aid into the territory.
Despite these claims, humanitarian organizations and United Nations officials assert that the amount of aid currently entering Gaza remains drastically insufficient to meet the needs of the population. The Israeli military organization responsible for aid transfer, known as COGAT, has dismissed the IPC findings as “false and biased.” The agency contends that significant steps have been taken to enhance the volume of aid entering Gaza in recent weeks.
Chris Newton, an analyst for the International Crisis Group, criticized Israel’s military strategy, stating, “A rapidly increasing number of people, especially young children, are dying preventable deaths from starvation and disease because Israel made starvation a core part of its campaign to control the strip.” He warned that Israel’s plans to escalate military actions in Gaza City, despite early warnings of famine, illustrate the intentional nature of the crisis.
Netanyahu has argued that intensified military pressure is necessary to achieve Israel’s objectives of securing the release of hostages held by Hamas and completely dismantling the militant group. As the situation continues to evolve, the humanitarian crisis in Gaza remains a pressing concern, with calls for increased international intervention and support growing louder.
