UPDATES WITH MORE FAMINE-RELATED FIGURES FROM IPC REPORT
By Beyza Binnur Donmez
GENEVA - Famine has been confirmed in Gaza Governorate, with projections that it will spread to the cities of Deir al-Balah and Khan Younis within weeks, according to a new analysis by the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) released on Friday, marking the first one in the Middle East.
"As of 15 August 2025, Famine (IPC Phase 5)—with reasonable evidence—is confirmed in Gaza Governorate," the UN-backed hunger monitoring system IPC said.
"After 22 months of relentless conflict, over half a million people in the Gaza Strip are facing catastrophic conditions characterized by starvation, destitution and death.”
Meanwhile, Jean-Marten Bauer, the director of Food Security and Nutrition Analysis of the World Food Program, and Richard Peeperkorn, WHO representative in the occupied Palestinian territories, noted in a press briefing in Geneva that "for the first time, we have a famine in the Middle East."
The IPC analysis warned that nearly a third of the population, 641,000 people, are expected to face catastrophic conditions by late September. Another 1.14 million, or 58%, will likely be in Emergency (IPC Phase 4).
Conditions in North Gaza Governorate are estimated to be "as severe—or worse—than in Gaza Governorate," the analysis said, but the absence of reliable data prevented IPC classification, raising fears that famine may already be unfolding there.
Acute malnutrition is escalating at alarming rates. "Through June 2026, at least 132,000 children under five are expected to suffer from acute malnutrition—double the IPC estimates from May 2025. This includes over 41,000 severe cases of children at heightened risk of death," the report said.
The report also cited 25,000 infants in need of urgent nutrition support, along with 55,500 pregnant and breastfeeding women.
The IPC attributed the crisis to a collapse of food systems, ongoing violence, and the near-total halt of aid. In July, 80% of households reported facing safety risks while seeking food, while food prices soared amid scarcity.
It noted that 87% of UN aid trucks were intercepted before reaching beneficiaries, while wheat flour prices have risen 3,400% since February. At least 1,800 civilians have been killed while seeking food aid.
Food distributions by the Israeli aid mechanism, the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), were plagued by insecurity and stark disparities in coverage, leaving many unable to access aid, it added.
"Immediate, large-scale, unobstructed multi-sector humanitarian assistance is critical to avert further destitution, starvation and death," the report warned. "This is not possible without an immediate ceasefire and end to the conflict."
The Famine Review Committee emphasized that the catastrophe is "entirely man-made" and that "any further delay—even by days—will result in a totally unacceptable escalation of Famine-related mortality."
It also emphasized that this is the fifth time famine conditions in Gaza have been reviewed, an unprecedented situation, and urged sustained humanitarian access rather than temporary relaxations.
Israel has killed more than 62,000 Palestinians in Gaza since October 2023. The military campaign has devastated the enclave and led to food shortages and starvation deaths.
Last November, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza. Israel also faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice for its war on the enclave.