The United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has condemned the confirmed famine in Gaza City and surrounding areas as a "failure of humanity." Guterres characterized the famine as a "man-made disaster," following a report from the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC), which elevated the hunger crisis in parts of Gaza to Phase 5—its most severe level. The IPC estimates over 500,000 individuals in Gaza are experiencing "catastrophic" conditions, defined by starvation, destitution, and death.
In response, Israel has rejected the IPC report as an "outright lie," claiming there is no starvation in the territory. The Israeli government has also denied accusations of restricting humanitarian aid access, despite evidence presented by over 100 humanitarian organizations, several UN bodies, and numerous international allies, including the UK.
The IPC report stresses the urgent need for a large-scale response to the famine crisis, warning that without immediate action, fatalities related to famine will inevitably escalate. Predictions indicate that from mid-August to late September, famine conditions will likely spread to additional areas in Gaza, potentially affecting as many as 641,000 people.
Mothers from Gaza City have begun voicing their despair; for instance, Reem Tawfiq Khader noted that her youngest child hasn’t tasted fruit in months due to food scarcity. Meanwhile, 271 deaths from malnutrition have been reported since the war began, including 112 children.
UN aid officials assert that the famine is preventable and blame systematic barriers set by Israel for the hindered food supply. UN Secretary-General Guterres remarked that the situation represents a failure of moral obligation, stating that Israel must adhere to international law, which mandates access to food and medical supplies.
Additionally, Phillipe Lazzarini of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees labeled the famine "starvation by design" caused by Israeli governmental actions. UK officials have echoed these sentiments, with Foreign Secretary David Lammy condemning the famine as a "moral outrage."
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu asserted that the country does not maintain a starvation policy, countering claims and noting that millions of tons of aid have been allowed into Gaza. However, the reality on the ground tells a different story, with thousands displaced, homes destroyed, and critical health services severely damaged.
As Israel prepares for a renewed military offensive in Gaza, following a recent Hamas-led attack that claimed numerous lives, the urgent humanitarian needs continue to escalate, raising fears of widespread starvation among Gaza’s beleaguered population.
