The United Nations has declared famine in Gaza, warning of mass starvation and death as the ongoing genocide pushes millions into further catastrophe.
The UN-backed Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) said: “As of 15 August 2025, Famine (IPC Phase 5)—with reasonable evidence—is confirmed in Gaza Governorate.” It added: “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.”
The analysis projected that famine will spread to Deir al-Balah and Khan Younis by the end of September. It warned that nearly a third of the population, 641,000 people will face famine, while 1.14 million others will be in “Emergency” conditions. It noted that North Gaza may be “as severe—or worse—than in Gaza Governorate,” but the absence of data prevented formal classification.
The IPC report described conditions as worsening rapidly. It said: “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.” It cited 25,000 infants in urgent need of nutrition support, along with 55,500 pregnant and breastfeeding women.
The report attributed the crisis to collapsed food systems, soaring prices and blocked aid. “Immediate, large-scale, unobstructed multi-sector humanitarian assistance is critical to avert further destitution, starvation and death,” it warned. “This is not possible without an immediate ceasefire and end to the conflict.”
The Famine Review Committee said the disaster was “entirely man-made” and cautioned: “Any further delay—even by days—will result in a totally unacceptable escalation of Famine-related mortality.”
Jean-Marten Bauer of the World Food Program (WFP) and Richard Peeperkorn of the WHO said at a Geneva briefing: “For the first time, we have a famine in the Middle East.”
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International condemnation
Since 7 October 2023, Israel’s military campaign has killed more than 62,600 Palestinians in Gaza, according to the Health Ministry. At least 289 people, including 115 children, have died of malnutrition and starvation, while more than 2,000 have been killed while trying to access food aid.
International leaders and agencies issued strong rebukes. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said: “This man-made, widespread malnutrition means that even common and usually mild diseases like diarrhoea are becoming fatal, especially for children.” He added: “A ceasefire is an absolute and moral imperative,” warning that Gaza’s health system, run by “hungry and exhausted health workers,” cannot cope.
Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) chief Qu Dongyu said: “Access to food is not a privilege – it is a basic human right.” WFP’s Cindy McCain warned: “Full humanitarian access and a ceasefire now are critical to save lives.”
UNICEF’s Catherine Russell described “children with wasted bodies, too weak to cry or eat; babies dying from hunger and preventable disease.” UNICEF stressed: “There is no time to lose.” Russell added that children on the brink of death need therapeutic feeding. Tedros said: “Gaza must be urgently supplied with food and medicines to save lives and begin the process of reversing malnutrition. Hospitals must be protected, aid blockages must end, and peace must be restored, so that healing can begin.”
European officials condemned Israel’s conduct. EU commissioner Hadja Lahbib wrote: “Famine is a reality in Gaza, now confirmed by @theIPCinfo report. People are dying from starvation.”
Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin said Israel had an “absolute obligation to allow the people there unfettered and urgent access to humanitarian aid, medical and food supplies.”
UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy called the famine “utterly horrifying and … wholly preventable,” adding: “The Government of Israel can and must immediately act to stop the situation deteriorating any further.” Slovenia’s deputy prime minister Tanja Fajon said: “Famine is the new phase of hell Gaza faces in this man-made catastrophe. This has to stop.”
Scotland’s First Minister John Swinney said starvation represented “genocide in plain sight.” German Foreign Ministry spokesman Josef Hinterseher told reporters: “I think there is no doubt that there is hunger in Gaza.”
UNRWA chief Philippe Lazzarini declared: “It’s time for the Government of Israel to stop denying the famine it has created in Gaza.” He added: “All of those who have influence must use it with determination and a sense of moral duty. Every hour counts.”
Israeli response
Meanwhile, Israeli politics revealed stark divisions. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich told the military: “No water, no electricity – let them die of hunger or surrender. This is what we want, and you’re capable of doing it.”
National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir asked the army chief: “Are you scared of the military advocate general?”
Military chief Eyal Zamir fired back at ministers: “You don’t understand anything. You don’t know what a brigade or battalion is. This takes time.” His remark was aimed at undermining the two ministers’ experience and dismissing their view on military operations.
Israel insists it is fighting Hamas and denies responsibility for the famine and shortage of aid. However, the International Criminal Court (ICC) has issued arrest warrants for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and ex-Defence Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes, while Israel also faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice (ICJ).
