Famine ‘currently playing out’ in Gaza, UN-backed experts warn

The worst-case scenario of famine is “currently playing out” in the Gaza Strip, UN-backed global food security experts warn.

A new assessment by the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) says there is mounting evidence that widespread starvation, malnutrition and disease are driving a rise in hunger-related deaths among the 2.1 million population.

“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,” it adds.

The IPC says immediate action must be taken to end the hostilities and allow for an unimpeded, large-scale, life-saving humanitarian response.

The report does not formally classify Gaza as being in a famine, saying that can only be made through analysis that will be conducted “without delay”.

UN agencies have already warned that there is man-made, mass starvation in Gaza and blamed Israel, which controls the entry of all supplies to the territory.

Israel has insisted there are no restrictions on aid deliveries and that there is “no starvation”.

On Monday, Gaza’s Hamas-run health ministry said that another 14 people had died as a result of malnutrition over the previous 24 hours.

That brought the total number of malnutrition-related deaths since the war begin in October 2023 to 147, including 88 children, according to the ministry.

The World Health Organization also said on Sunday that there had been 63 malnutrition-related deaths in Gaza this month, including 24 children under five. It noted that the bodies of most of the dead showed “clear signs of severe wasting”.