A UN-backed food security body has, for the first time, confirmed famine in Gaza City, warning that over 500,000 people in the Strip are facing hunger, destitution, and death.
The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) raised its assessment to Phase 5 – the highest and most catastrophic level of food insecurity. According to the report, famine conditions are already present in Gaza Governorate, covering Gaza City and surrounding areas, and are projected to expand to Deir al-Balah and Khan Younis by the end of September.
Guterres: “A Failure of Humanity Itself”
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres reacted strongly to the findings, calling the crisis “a man-made catastrophe, a moral indictment, and a failure of humanity itself.”
“Just when it seemed there were no words left to describe the living hell in Gaza, another has been added: famine,” Guterres said.
He stressed that famine is “not only about food but the deliberate collapse of systems essential for human survival.” Guterres urged immediate action:
- An instant ceasefire,
- The unconditional release of all hostages,
- And full, unrestricted humanitarian access.
He also underlined that Israel has clear obligations under international law to ensure food and medical supplies for the civilian population.
Israel Rejects Findings
In response, Israel’s Foreign Ministry rejected the IPC’s conclusions, accusing the body of publishing a “fabricated, Hamas-commissioned report.”
According to Israel, IPC “manipulated its own global standards”, lowering the famine threshold from 30% to 15% and ignoring mortality criteria. The Ministry claimed that 100,000 aid trucks have entered Gaza during nearly two years of conflict and cited a “significant drop in food prices” as evidence against the famine designation.
“The entire IPC document is based on Hamas lies,” the statement said, adding that any projection regarding Gaza’s food security during the war has been “baseless and false.”
The IPC has firmly rejected Israel’s accusations, defending the integrity of its methodology.
A Humanitarian Tipping Point
The report marks the first official famine declaration in Gaza since the war began, intensifying pressure on both Israel and the international community to act swiftly as humanitarian conditions continue to deteriorate.
