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Occupied Gaza Strip – The United Nations Secretary-General has warned that Palestinians in Gaza are on the verge of full-scale famine as a new Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) Alert revealed catastrophic hunger levels and a collapse of essential services.
The report shows that two of the three famine thresholds have already been breached in parts of the enclave, with malnutrition and hunger-related deaths rising rapidly. Humanitarian leaders say that without immediate intervention, famine will engulf more of Gaza’s population.
“The latest IPC Alert confirms what we have feared: Gaza is on the brink of famine. Palestinians in Gaza are enduring a humanitarian catastrophe of epic proportions. This is not a warning,” said the Secretary-General.
“It is a reality unfolding before our eyes. The trickle of aid must become an ocean. Food, water, medicine, and fuel must flow in waves and without obstruction. This nightmare must end.”
He stressed that resolving the crisis requires coordinated international action. He urged governments and organisations to prioritise humanitarian access and implement a permanent ceasefire to prevent further mass starvation.
“Ending this worst-case scenario will take the best efforts of all parties, now. We need an immediate and permanent humanitarian ceasefire; the unconditional release of all hostages; and full, unfettered humanitarian access across Gaza. This is a test of our shared humanity – a test we cannot afford to fail.”
Findings Reveal Critical Hunger Thresholds Breached in Gaza
The IPC Global Initiative’s analysis shows famine conditions rapidly unfolding due to relentless Israeli bombardment, large-scale displacement, and severe restrictions on humanitarian aid.
Hunger has reached historic levels, and acute malnutrition is spreading. Households are skipping meals for days, risking death to access food, and facing unprecedented price hikes for basic staples. Hundreds of thousands are already experiencing conditions akin to famine.
“Mounting evidence shows that widespread starvation, malnutrition, and disease are driving a rise in hunger-related deaths,” the IPC states.
“Latest data indicates that Famine thresholds have been reached for food consumption in most of the Gaza Strip and for acute malnutrition in Gaza City.”
Since May, Israeli attacks have killed thousands of Palestinians and displaced hundreds of thousands more. At least 1,000 Palestinians have died while attempting to reach humanitarian food distribution points in militarised zones, as access routes remain dangerous or blocked.
“People’s access to food across Gaza is now alarmingly erratic and extremely perilous,” the IPC warns.
Palestinian Children Face Unprecedented Malnutrition
Children under five have been disproportionately affected. Tens of thousands are acutely malnourished, with hospitals overwhelmed and health services near collapse. July has recorded the highest number of malnutrition cases since the start of Israel’s offensive.
The IPC reports that the rise in child malnutrition is accelerating at an alarming pace. Severely limited nutrition services mean many infants are unable to access life-saving treatments.
“Over 20,000 children have been admitted for treatment for acute malnutrition between April and mid-July, with more than 3,000 severely malnourished,” the IPC report states.
“Hospitals have reported a rapid increase in hunger-related deaths of children under five years of age, with at least 16 reported deaths since 17 July.”
Catherine Russell, UNICEF’s Executive Director, said children are dying needlessly as Israel’s restrictions continue to block humanitarian aid. She warned that famine can still be prevented if assistance is allowed to flow.
“Emaciated children and babies are dying from malnutrition in Gaza. We need immediate, safe and unhindered humanitarian access across Gaza to scale up the delivery of life-saving food, nutrition, water and medicine,” Russell said.
“Without that, mothers and fathers will continue to face a parent’s worst nightmare, powerless to save a starving child from a condition we are able to prevent.”
Aid Severely Restricted and Insufficient
Despite the partial reopening of crossings, aid deliveries remain only a fraction of what is needed to meet basic survival requirements. Food stocks are depleted, bakeries are closed, and most distributed food cannot be prepared due to a lack of water and fuel.
The IPC highlights that humanitarian kitchens and aid convoys cannot keep pace with soaring needs. With infrastructure destroyed by Israeli strikes, the majority of Gaza’s population has no safe way to access or cook food.
“Despite the easing of the blockade on 19 May, only a trickle of humanitarian assistance, mainly food, has entered the Gaza Strip. Bakeries remain closed, and community kitchens, though operational, are vastly inadequate to meet the scale of needs,” the IPC alert states.
QU Dongyu, Director-General of the FAO, called for the rapid restoration of local agricultural systems in conjunction with humanitarian relief efforts.
“People are starving not because food is unavailable, but because access is blocked, local agrifood systems have collapsed, and families can no longer sustain even the most basic livelihoods,” Dongyu said.
“We urgently need safe and sustained humanitarian access and immediate support to restore local food production and livelihoods.”
Call for Urgent Global Response
The IPC confirmed that famine will become unavoidable without a large-scale humanitarian response, safe corridors for aid, and restoration of commercial supply chains.
It calls on all parties to cease hostilities, protect civilians and aid workers, and provide humanitarian assistance. Without swift action, UN agencies warn that Gaza’s population faces mass starvation and irreversible loss of life as the crisis worsens daily.
“Immediate action must be taken to alleviate the catastrophic suffering of people in Gaza,” the report urges. “None of this is possible unless there is a ceasefire.”
Cindy McCain, Executive Director of the WFP, stated that waiting for formal confirmation of famine before acting would be morally indefensible.
“The unbearable suffering of the people of Gaza is already clear for the world to see. Waiting for official confirmation of famine to provide life-saving food aid they desperately need is unconscionable.”
“We need to flood Gaza with large-scale food aid immediately and without obstruction to prevent mass starvation. People are already dying of malnutrition, and the longer we wait to act, the higher the death toll will rise,” McCain warned.
