Famine is no longer a risk in Gaza. It is a reality. Children are dying from hunger and disease, while families are going days without food. Access to clean water and health has collapsed.
The report published today by the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC), the global reference for analysis of food and nutrition crises, confirms that that Gaza Governorate has been in famine since July. Deir al-Balah and Khan Younis are also projected to fall into famine in the coming days or may already be facing that reality.
This is the most severe deterioration since May 2024, when the IPC began analysing acute food insecurity and malnutrition in the Gaza Strip.
In Gaza, more than 500,000 people are facing catastrophic conditions of starvation. By the end of September, this number is projected to rise to nearly 641,000 people – almost one in three people across the Gaza Strip.
This is a stark indication that the humanitarian situation in Gaza is beyond intolerable. People are starving, while aid is amassed on the border without reaching those in need. Under International Humanitarian Law, all parties to a conflict must ensure that the basic needs of civilians are met, especially food, water and medical care. United Nations agencies and humanitarian non-governmental organisations (NGOs) must be allowed to bring relief to people in need without unnecessary limitations.
Despite the continued efforts by the international community to deliver food, the quantities actually entering the Gaza Strip are not sufficient to prevent mass starvation. The magnitude of the crisis demands a sustainable, large-scale response to make real recovery possible.
We reiterate that Israel must grant access to aid immediately through all safe and effective channels to reach everyone in Gaza. Israel must provide authorisation for all international NGO aid shipments and allow essential, principled humanitarian actors to operate.
We are approaching a point of no return.
Famine will cause even greater loss of life if immediate action is not taken. Every day of inaction means more civilians, including children, will die. Now is the time for Israel to allow immediate, unimpeded, and sustained humanitarian access to all people in need.
