\n<\/p>\n
UN Secretary-General Ant\u00f3nio Guterres said the results of the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) analysis were no mystery: \u201cIt is a man-made disaster, a moral indictment \u2013 and a failure of humanity itself<\/strong>.<\/p>\n \u201cFamine is not about food; it is the deliberate collapse<\/strong> of the systems needed for human survival.\u201d<\/p>\n Famine conditions are projected to spread from Gaza Governorate to Deir Al Balah and Khan Younis Governorates in the coming weeks, the IPC estimates.<\/p>\n UN agencies have collectively and consistently highlighted the extreme urgency of delivering immediate and full-scale humanitarian aid given the escalating hunger-related deaths, rapidly worsening levels of acute malnutrition and plummeting levels of food consumption in Gaza \u2013 with hundreds of thousands going days without anything to eat.<\/p>\n \u201cAs the occupying power, Israel has unequivocal obligations under international law \u2013 including the duty of ensuring food and medical supplies of the population<\/strong>,\u201d said the UN chief, reacting to the famine declaration from the IPC, which is endorsed by dozens of governments, UN agencies and NGOs as the key evidence-based measure of food insecurity and malnutrition.<\/p>\n See our UN News explainer here<\/em>.<\/p>\n Mr. Guterres said Israel\u2019s denial of its duties could not be allowed to continue: \u201cNo more excuses. The time for action is not tomorrow \u2013 it is now.\u201d<\/p>\n UN agencies operating in Gaza joined the UN chief in calling for an immediate ceasefire to finally allow unimpeded, large-scale humanitarian response and the immediate release of all hostages taken by Hamas and other militants during the 7 October 2023 terror attacks.<\/p>\n Agencies also expressed grave concern over the threat of the intensified military offensive on Gaza City and any further escalation in the conflict, as it would have further devastating consequences for civilians where famine conditions already exist.<\/p>\n \u201cMany people \u2013 especially sick and malnourished children, older people and people with disabilities \u2013 may be unable to evacuate,\u201d they said in a joint statement.<\/p>\n By the end of September, more than 640,000 people will face ‘catastrophic’ levels of food insecurity \u2013 classified as IPC Phase 5 \u2013 across the Gaza Strip.<\/p>\n An additional 1.14 million people in the enclave will be in phase 4 with a further 396,000 people facing phase 3 ‘crisis’ conditions.<\/p>\n Conditions in North Gaza are estimated to be as severe \u2013 or worse \u2013 than in Gaza City. However, limited data prevented an IPC classification, highlighting the urgent need for access.<\/p>\n Classifying famine means that the most extreme category is triggered when three critical thresholds \u2013 extreme food deprivation, acute malnutrition and starvation-related deaths \u2013 have been breached. The latest analysis now affirms on the basis of reasonable evidence that these criteria have been met, UN agencies said.<\/p>\n Briefing journalists on Friday at UN headquarters in Geneva, the UN Emergency Relief Coordinator Tom Fletcher said\u00a0it was a famine that could have been prevented \u201cif we had been allowed.\u201d<\/p>\n A young severely malnourished girl is helped into her clothes.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n \u201cYet food stacks up at borders because of systematic obstruction by Israel.\u00a0It is a famine within a few hundred metres of food, in a fertile land<\/strong>.<\/p>\n It is a famine that we repeatedly warned of \u2013 but that the international media has not been allowed in to cover, to bear witness,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n \u201cIt is a famine in 2025. A 21st century famine watched over by drones and the most advanced military technology in history. It is a famine openly promoted by some Israeli leaders as a weapon of war<\/strong>.\u201d<\/p>\n On a wider scale, Mr. Fletcher said it was \u201cthe world\u2019s famine. It is a famine that asks \u2018but what did you do?\u2019 A famine that will and must haunt us all.\u201d<\/p>\n Malnutrition among children in Gaza is accelerating \u201cat a catastrophic pace\u201d, said UN agencies, who note that in July alone, more than 12,000 children were identified as acutely malnourished \u2013 the highest monthly figure ever recorded and a six-fold increase since the start of the year.<\/p>\n Since the\u00a0last IPC Analysis in May, the number of children expected to be at severe risk of death from malnutrition by the end of June 2026 has tripled from 14,100 to 43,400.<\/p>\nIsrael\u2019s obligations<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Silence the guns, release the hostages<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Famine set to expand<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Famine in a fertile land<\/strong><\/h2>\n
First Middle East famine<\/strong><\/h2>\n