GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip — The ongoing crisis in Gaza has escalated to alarming levels. The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) reported a famine in Gaza City, stating it could expand to other areas like Deir al-Balah and Khan Younis unless a ceasefire is reached and humanitarian aid restrictions are lifted. This marks the first confirmed famine in the Middle East.
Aid groups have been warning for months about the severe restrictions imposed by Israel, leading to widespread starvation, particularly among children. Over half a million people in Gaza are facing catastrophic hunger, with many at risk of dying from malnutrition-related issues.
U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres labeled the situation a “man-made disaster” and called for immediate action. In contrast, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu dismissed the IPC’s findings as “outright lies,” contending that there is no policy of starvation in place.
As the conflict with Hamas continues, experts highlight that the military campaigns only worsen food insecurity. Chris Newton from the International Crisis Group noted that children are increasingly susceptible to preventable deaths due to malnutrition and disease, linking this to Israel’s actions in Gaza.
The IPC outlines three conditions to declare a famine: significant food scarcity in households, high rates of malnutrition among young children, and daily deaths tied to starvation. Recent data indicates that these conditions are being met, with projections that a third of Gaza’s population may face extreme hunger by the end of September.
Alex de Waal, a famine expert, remarked that better access for data collection might have revealed the severe situation earlier. He noted a frustrating trend where the alarm must be sounded loudly for the world to heed.
Even as Israeli authorities claim that aid is flowing, experts argue that it remains insufficient compared to the overwhelming needs. Since the escalation of hostilities, the blockade has intensified, blocking imports of crucial goods. Although Israel states that there are no current limits on aid trucks entering Gaza, the traditional U.N.-led efforts face significant challenges, including military interventions.
Witness accounts reveal a heartbreaking reality: families are seeing their loved ones suffer. In a poignant example, Yousef Sbeteh shared that his teenage children, injured in an airstrike, have lost significant weight due to lack of proper nutrition in the hospital.
“I can’t provide what they need,” Sbeteh said. “Doctors say she needs protein, meat, and fish, but I can’t afford that now.”
With the situation worsening, calls for international intervention grow more urgent. As reports of famine surface, one must wonder: How many more lives will it take for change to come?
For more information and developments on the situation, you can visit Reuters.
