Edith Hejberg
Gaza’s youngest and most vulnerable now face life-threatening conditions as food supplies dwindle.
A United Nations-backed assessment has confirmed that Gaza City is now experiencing famine, marking a grim milestone in the nearly two-year war between Israel and Hamas.
The finding, published Friday by the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC), warns the situation is expected to worsen in the coming months.
Widespread Malnutrition Threatens Tens of Thousands of Children
The IPC report highlights a surge in malnutrition, stating that 132,000 children under the age of five are at risk through June 2026. Of those, 41,000 cases are classified as severe, double the figures reported just two months ago.
Gaza’s youngest and most vulnerable now face life-threatening conditions as food supplies dwindle.
Aid Access Restricted Amid Ongoing Conflict
Israel has at times severely limited or entirely blocked humanitarian aid into Gaza, compounding the crisis.
While starvation has claimed lives, others have died trying to reach aid distribution points, some run by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), a controversial organization backed by both the U.S. and Israel, brought in to replace longstanding UN operations.
Israeli Agency Rejects Famine Findings
The Israeli agency responsible for Gaza aid, COGAT (Coordination of Government Activities in the Territories), pre-emptively dismissed the IPC findings.
COGAT claimed the report was based on “partial, biased data” sourced from Hamas and accused the IPC of ignoring evidence provided by Israel.
Israel Points to Aid Deliveries, Blames Hamas
COGAT insists over 100,000 aid trucks have entered Gaza since the war began, carrying food, fuel, and medical supplies.
It claims the humanitarian situation is improving and blames Hamas for exploiting the aid system. However, rights groups and aid organizations strongly dispute this narrative.
Global Leaders and Aid Workers Paint a Darker Picture
UN relief coordinator Tom Fletcher called on the world to “read [the IPC report] in sorrow and anger,” urging action to stop the suffering. He added, “Be in no doubt that this is irrefutable testimony. It is a famine, the Gaza famine… Yet food stacks up at borders because of systematic obstruction by Israel.”
Harrowing Stories of Children Dying from Starvation
CNN and other outlets have documented heartbreaking cases, including that of 4-year-old Razan Abu Zaher, who died from hunger-related complications in a central Gaza hospital.
Her death is among 271 recorded famine-related fatalities, including 112 children, according to Gaza’s health ministry.
What Constitutes a Famine? IPC Criteria Explained
Under the IPC system, a famine is declared when three thresholds are met: at least 20% of households face extreme food shortages, more than 30% of children are acutely malnourished, and two or more people per 10,000 die daily from starvation or related diseases.
All three criteria are now present in Gaza City.
