Famine Officially Declared in Gaza, Hundreds of Thousands Face Catastrophic Hunger
Famine declared in Gaza City and Governorate by IPC, affecting 500,000 with catastrophic hunger. Crisis projected to worsen, severely endangering 132,000 young children.
Overview
The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) officially declared famine in Gaza City and the Gaza Governorate, marking the first such declaration in the Middle East.
Approximately 500,000 people are currently experiencing "catastrophic" hunger levels in Gaza, with projections indicating this number could rise to 641,000 by late September.
The famine is expected to worsen and spread to central and southern Gaza by the end of September, impacting nearly a quarter of the Palestinian population.
At least 132,000 children under five are at severe risk of death from acute malnutrition by June 2026, with 41,000 severe cases already reported in Gaza.
The UN-backed IPC system has declared famine only four times since 2004, underscoring the extreme severity of Gaza's crisis amidst the ongoing conflict.
Analysis
Center-leaning sources cover the Gaza famine declaration with a focus on presenting multiple perspectives. They detail the IPC's findings and methodology while immediately including Israel's strong rejection and counter-arguments regarding aid and data. The coverage attributes strong language to officials rather than using it editorially, aiming for a balanced report on a contentious issue.
Sources (29)
Center (15)
FAQ
Approximately 500,000 people in Gaza are experiencing catastrophic hunger levels, with projections indicating this number could rise to 641,000 by late September.
At least 132,000 children under five are at severe risk of death from acute malnutrition, with 41,000 cases already reported. Other vulnerable groups include the sick, older people, and people with disabilities who may be unable to evacuate.
The famine has been caused by a deliberate collapse of essential systems needed for survival, blockage of humanitarian aid, and destruction of local agriculture, compounded by ongoing conflict and obstruction of aid shipments by Israel.
International organizations are calling for an immediate ceasefire, unimpeded humanitarian access, and large-scale delivery of food and medical aid to prevent further deaths and much worse famine conditions.
UN officials describe the Gaza famine as a man-made disaster and a failure of humanity, highlighting that famine has been declared there for the first time with catastrophic consequences and emphasizing the urgent moral and humanitarian imperative to act.
History
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