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.
The evolution of famine in Gaza, in maps and charts
The Economist
What is a famine and who declares one?
Associated Press
UN declares famine in Gaza
Al Jazeera
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.
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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.
"Friday's IPC analysis says Gaza City and surrounding areas are experiencing a Phase 5 famine, the highest level of acute food insecurity."
NPR"Parts of the Gaza Strip are now in famine, with more than half a million people experiencing extreme food deprivation and starvation-related deaths."
The Economist"Under this system, overseen by Israel, starvation in Gaza has expanded."
BBC News"Famine is now occurring in Gaza City, according to the world’s leading authority on food crises."
ABC News"The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification released an analysis Friday, saying more than more than half a million people in Gaza are trapped in famine, suffering widespread starvation and preventable deaths."
Associated Press"A United Nations-backed body declared a famine in Gaza City, underlining the scale of the humanitarian disaster underway in the enclave as Israel expands its military operations there."
Semafor"The Gaza Strip's largest city is now gripped by famine, according to the world's leading authority on food crises."
CBS News"The announcement comes after nearly two years of war and Israeli restrictions on aid entering the territory, and as Israel prepares to launch a new offensive on Gaza City."
NPR"The food crisis in Gaza has worsened since the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas ended in March and Israel instituted a blockade on aid into Gaza."
ABC News"Famine has struck an area of Gaza and will likely spread over the next month, a global hunger monitor determined on Friday, an assessment that will escalate pressure on Israel to allow more humanitarian aid into the war-torn Palestinian enclave."
USA TODAY"The confirmation of famine comes as Israel's security cabinet approved plans for Israeli soldiers and 60,000 reservists to move into Gaza City."
NPR"The food crisis in Gaza has worsened since the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas ended in March and Israel instituted a blockade on aid into Gaza."
ABC News"The Gaza Strip’s largest city is gripped by famine, according to the world’s leading authority on food crises."
Associated Press"The IPC determination comes after months of warnings by aid groups that Israel’s restrictions of food and other aid into Gaza, and its military offensive, were causing high levels of starvation among Palestinian civilians, particularly children."
Associated Press"Famine was officially declared Friday in part of northern Gaza, including Gaza City, by the world's leading authority on hunger as Israel vowed to raze the area if Hamas doesn't agree to its terms."
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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.
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