Gaza City is on the verge of starvation. The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) has officially classified the region IPC Phase 5, as being in a state of famine, a terrible threshold crossed. The IPC has drawn attention to a staggering number — 280,000 people in Gaza are experiencing catastrophic food insecurity. This worsening humanitarian crisis is exacerbated by Israel’s complete control over all entries to the region. In their words, the declaration represents the fifth famine declared in Gaza over 14 years.
The IPC’s classification is an indictment of the dire humanitarian realities for the people of Gaza City and the adjacent governorate of Gaza. According to the IPC, for a region to be classified as in famine, specific metrics must be met: at least 20% of the population must suffer from extreme food shortages, one in three children must be acutely malnourished, and there must be at least two deaths per 10,000 individuals daily due to starvation or related diseases. At the moment, all of these criteria are being satisfied in Gaza.
Access Restrictions Complicate Assessment
The IPC had great difficulty in evaluating the food security situation in the North Gaza governorate. Access restrictions due to the Israeli occupation complicated their ability to collect data. As a result, they had no way of classifying this area as any less conditionally safe. Recent assessments have found that the situation in central and southern areas continues to deteriorate. This is particularly the case for Deir al-Balah and Khan Younis, as further worsening conditions are anticipated by late next month.
Israel’s Foreign Ministry has decried the IPC report as an “anti-Israel propaganda.” She marked it as “false and biased,” claiming it originated from the “Hamas Terrorist Organisation.” They claim that the evaluation does not account for important information about delivery and aid on the ground. The Israeli military’s aid coordination agency, COGAT, echoed this sentiment, stating that they “firmly reject the claim of famine in the Gaza Strip, and particularly in Gaza City.”
“In recent weeks, a massive influx of aid has flooded the Strip with staple foods and caused a sharp decline in food prices.” – Israel’s Foreign Ministry
Political Responses and Controversies
Even U.S. President Donald Trump has recognized the gravity of the situation, recently stating that there is no food for people in Gaza and they’re starving. This past Sunday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made a complete mockery of this claim, while affirming rather brazenly that no one is starving in the region.
The incongruous statements underscore a confusing political climate amid the growing humanitarian disaster. Being noticed are international observers—including the United Nations—sounding the alarm over an impending humanitarian disaster for Gaza’s 1.8 million residents. In contrast, Israeli officials contend that their measures have created positive food supply conditions.
“This assessment too will be thrown into the despicable trash bin of political documents.” – Israel’s Foreign Ministry
Historical Context and Future Projections
The IPC’s recent declaration makes clear that we are at a watershed point for Gaza. Yet it reminds us of the daily famine that has plagued the country over the past fifteen years. The agency has already declared Gaza to be in famine four times since 2009, underscoring the protracted nature of this humanitarian crisis.
As the situation deteriorates further, humanitarian agencies are still pressed to demand increased access and assistance to a severely affected population. The difficulties faced in classifying North Gaza raise profound concerns. The pain down there isn’t theirs alone, but shakes the entire country, echoing back through all that hollowed ground. According to WFP projections, food security will continue to deteriorate in central and southern areas by December. We need to act with real urgency today in order to address this crisis.
