The United Nations has officially declared a famine in Gaza—the first ever in the Middle East. Over 500,000 people are now suffering from "catastrophic" levels of hunger, with starvation and preventable deaths on the rise. 😢
This grim pronouncement comes from the latest Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) report by FAO, UNICEF, WFP and WHO. It shows that by September, more than 640,000 residents could face the worst food insecurity, while 1.14 million could be at emergency levels.
Acute child malnutrition has hit record highs—over 12,000 children were identified in July alone, a sixfold jump since January. If things don't change, experts predict that by mid-2026 some 43,400 children and 55,000 pregnant or breastfeeding women could face life-threatening malnutrition.
Nearly all cropland in Gaza is destroyed or off-limits, and aid deliveries are sporadic and insufficient. The health system has collapsed amid shortages of food, water, fuel and medical supplies, leading to a surge in infectious diseases.
UN agencies warn that military operations and restrictions on humanitarian access could make things even worse, putting children, the elderly and people with disabilities at extreme risk. They are calling for an immediate ceasefire and open supply routes to deliver life-saving aid at scale.
Tom Fletcher, UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, said this tragedy "could have been prevented." He pointed to food supplies stalled at the border due to what he called "systematic obstruction." Human Rights chief Volker Turk added that restrictions by the Israeli government have directly caused this famine.
It's a heartbreaking reminder of how conflict and blockades can turn basic needs into unreachable luxuries. Let’s keep the conversation alive and demand action for Gaza’s people. ✊
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
