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By Amir Daftari
News Reporter
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A United Nations-backed food security body has officially declared that Gaza is facing famine, but Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office rejected the report as an "outright lie".
According to the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) report, the famine is entirely man-made, driven by the ongoing Israeli military blockade and attacks in the nearly two-year war following Hamas' October 7, 2023, attack on Israel, but it said it could still be "halted and reversed" if urgent humanitarian action is taken.
Newsweek has reached out to Israel's Foreign Ministry and the UN for comment.
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Why It Matters
The IPC's announcement is the first formal declaration of famine in Gaza, drawing further international attention to the need for aid access and likely intensifying calls for political solutions.
But Israel rejected the findings, calling them biased and inaccurate and accusing Hamas of stealing aid. It said the only people being starved in Gaza were Israeli hostages. The dispute underscores the tension between global humanitarian agencies and Israel, which continues its military operations in Gaza City while preparing for a broader offensive.
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What To Know
The IPC, a global initiative led by UN agencies, governments, and aid groups, elevated Gaza Governorate, which includes Gaza City, to Phase 5—the highest level of food insecurity—marked by starvation, destitution, and death. The report estimates that around 500,000 people, nearly a quarter of Gaza's population, are already in famine, a number projected to rise to 640,000 by the end of September.
Food Insecurity
Beyond those in famine, the IPC classified 1.14 million people, more than half of Gaza's pre-war population, at Phase 4 "emergency" levels of food insecurity. Another 396,000 are enduring Phase 3 "crisis" conditions. Northern Gaza is already in famine, while central and southern regions—including Deir al-Balah and Khan Younis—are projected to reach famine thresholds by next month.
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Urgent Appeals
UN officials swiftly denounced the situation. UN rights chief Volker Turk warned that using starvation as a weapon constitutes a war crime, noting that the deaths caused could also amount to wilful killing. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for immediate measures, including a ceasefire, the release of all hostages, and unrestricted humanitarian access, stressing that "It is a man-made disaster, a moral indictment – and a failure of humanity itself."
Israel Rejects Report
Israel has dismissed the findings, with the Coordinator for Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT) accusing it of relying on "biased and self-interested sources originating from Hamas."
The Israeli prime minister's office said in a statement that: "Israel, will continue to act responsibly, ensuring aid reaches Gaza's civilians while destroying Hamas's terror machine. The Hamas-orchestrated "starvation campaign" will not deter us from freeing our hostages and eliminating Hamas."
At the same time, Defense Minister Israel Katz warned Gaza City could face heavy destruction unless Hamas complies with Israeli ceasefire terms, writing in a post on X that "the gates of hell will soon open on the heads of Hamas' murderers and rapists in Gaza," highlighting the overlap of military escalation and the worsening humanitarian emergency.
What People Are Saying
IPC report: "The time for debate and hesitation has passed, starvation is present and is rapidly spreading. There should be no doubt in anyone's mind that an immediate, at-scale response is needed."
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres: "It is a man-made disaster, a moral indictment – and a failure of humanity itself. Famine is not about food; it is the deliberate collapse of the systems needed for human survival."
COGAT statement: "It is illogical to suggest that conditions will worsen when improvements are already evident on the ground."
Israeli Prime Minister's Office: "It is a modern blood libel, spreading like wildfire through prejudice. History will judge those who peddle it. The IPC must end its double standards against the Jewish state."
What Happens Next
The famine declaration comes as Israel intensifies preparations for Gaza City. Netanyahu said Israel will resume negotiations for the release of hostages, but only under terms it deems acceptable.
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