The world’s leading authority on food crises has declared a famine in Gaza City, marking the first time such a declaration has been made in the Middle East. The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) has confirmed that widespread hunger is affecting hundreds of thousands of Palestinians in Gaza.
According to the IPC report, Gaza’s largest city is gripped by famine due to months of restrictions on food and humanitarian aid, as well as military operations. The situation is dire, with over half a million people facing catastrophic levels of hunger, many at risk of dying from malnutrition-related causes.
Israel disputes the report, calling it “an outright lie” promoted by Hamas. However, experts say that Israel’s blockade of Gaza has led to widespread displacement and collapsed food production, exacerbating the hunger crisis. The IPC warned that a third of Gaza’s population could face catastrophic levels of hunger by the end of September.
The humanitarian situation in Gaza is further complicated by Israeli military restrictions, which have limited access to aid and led to incidents of looting and violence. The United Nations has appealed for an immediate ceasefire, citing “a human-made disaster” that has resulted in a moral indictment and a failure of humanity itself.
As the situation continues to deteriorate, families in Gaza City are struggling to cope with the loss of loved ones due to starvation. Doctors and nurses report rising numbers of malnourished patients, with some children losing up to 30% of their body weight in just two months.
The IPC’s formal famine determination is rare, but the data shows clear evidence that thresholds for starvation and acute malnutrition have been reached. Experts warn that had Israel allowed better access to collect data, a famine might have been declared months ago, raising global awareness sooner.
As the world watches, it remains to be seen how the international community will respond to this humanitarian crisis. Will there be enough pressure on Israel to lift its blockade and allow more aid into Gaza? Or will the situation continue to spiral out of control, leaving hundreds of thousands of Palestinians without access to basic necessities like food?
Source: https://apnews.com/article/gaza-famine-hunger-israel-ceasefire-a5f88e20db2a5c4f754117de9bdada69