The war-ravaged Gaza Strip has been officially declared a famine zone, which has been described as a “heavy stain on the conscience of humanity.”
Hundreds of children have died from starvation, and the devastated enclave continues to suffer after nearly two years of Israeli bombing. But formally acknowledging the famine has become a key step in the response to the humanitarian catastrophe. Under the auspices of the UN, the IPC system today confirmed the existence of famine in the Gaza City region, indicating risks of its spreading south. It is the fifth officially recorded case in recent years, after Somalia (2011), South Sudan (2017, 2020) and Sudan (2023).
The IPC statement noted: “As of 15 August 2025, Gaza Governorate meets the criteria for famine (IPC Phase 5) based on compelling evidence. After 22 months of conflict, over 500,000 residents face catastrophic conditions, including hunger, extreme poverty and loss of life. An additional 1.07 million (54%) are in emergency (Phase 4) and 396,000 (20%) are in crisis (Phase 3). The situation is expected to worsen from mid-August to September 2025, with famine spreading to Deir al-Balah and Khan Younis. An additional 641,000 people (one third of the population) are projected to be in catastrophic conditions (Phase 5), while the number of people in emergency (Phase 4) is projected to rise to 1.14 million (58%).”
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The report specifies: “Acute malnutrition continues to worsen rapidly. By June 2026, at least 132,000 children under five will suffer from severe malnutrition – double the IPC projections for May 2025. Of these, over 41,000 will face life-threatening complications. About 55,500 pregnant and lactating women with malnutrition will require emergency assistance.” At the same time, it is emphasized: “The situation in northern Gaza is assessed as similar or worse, but data limitations prevent formal classification, highlighting the need for urgent access and comprehensive analysis.”
The IPC defines famine as “a situation in which one in five households faces extreme food shortages, leading to widespread malnutrition and mortality.” Israel’s humanitarian aid agency, COGAT, dismissed the report’s findings as “biased and misleading.” The organization’s statement claimed aid to the region had increased significantly in recent weeks. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has denied that there is a famine, calling such claims “Hamas propaganda.”
Taahra Ghazi, co-director of ActionAid UK, said: “The official recognition of a famine, despite months of warning and despite its avoidability, is a moral failure of the global community. This is a planned humanitarian crisis caused by Israel’s deliberate blockade of food, water and medicine in breach of international law. The government has used famine as a weapon of war with impunity for 2018, leading to tragedies: starving mothers unable to feed their babies; staff who give their last to their children collapsing from hunger.”
The statement came after the Israeli Defense Minister threatened to destroy Gaza City if Hamas refused to accept the terms, amid preparations for a large-scale military operation. I. Katz warned on social media: “The gates of hell will open wide for the Hamas leaders if they do not agree to end the war, release the hostages, and fully disarm.” Hamas, in turn, insists on a mutual ceasefire and the creation of a Palestinian state as a condition for negotiations.
Ghazi continued: “Gazans already facing famine are facing an escalation of hostilities that will force hundreds of thousands to flee and paralyse humanitarian aid at a critical moment. The situation is rapidly deteriorating: preventing mass deaths requires an immediate ceasefire and unhindered aid deliveries. Every delay costs lives.”
Faten, coordinator of partner organization WEFAQ, shared: “In two months, I lost 20 kg. My children are rapidly losing weight. We have barely eaten for three days. Their condition is getting worse: weakness and dizziness are becoming the norm. I broke down – for the first time I regretted becoming a mother, seeing how they are fading away.”
Dr Raed Al-Baba from Al-Awda Hospital said: “Due to lack of milk, mothers use decoctions of legumes and herbs, which causes severe intestinal infections, anemia and paralysis. Contaminated water with impurities leads to critical dehydration. This is not a fight for life – it is a gradual death.”
The conflict began after a Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, that claimed 1,200 lives in Israel and 251 hostages. According to the Gaza Health Ministry, more than 62,000 Palestinians were killed in the retaliatory attacks.
Sourse: www.mirror.co.uk
