TEL AVIV, July 29: The Gaza Strip is now experiencing what experts call the “worst-case scenario of famine,” with the potential for widespread death unless urgent action is taken, according to a new alert from the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC). While the alert stops short of a formal famine declaration, it warns that critical thresholds for food consumption and acute child malnutrition have already been crossed in many areas, particularly Gaza City.
The humanitarian crisis, driven by nearly 22 months of war, has intensified sharply in recent weeks. Gaza has long teetered on the edge of famine, but recent developments — including increasingly severe Israeli blockades — have drastically worsened conditions. According to the IPC, one in three people in Gaza now goes without food for days at a time. Hospitals are seeing a surge in hunger-related deaths, especially among children under five, and essential health and infrastructure services have collapsed.
A famine declaration requires confirmation of three key criteria: 20% of households suffering extreme food shortages, 30% of children under five acutely malnourished, and a daily death rate of at least two adults or four children per 10,000 due to starvation or malnutrition-related diseases. Due to limited access, collecting this data has been difficult, but experts argue that visible evidence from Gaza already meets these conditions. “This is famine,” said Alex de Waal, a leading authority on mass starvation.
Global concern escalated following images of severely malnourished children and reports of dozens of hunger-related deaths. In response to international pressure, Israel announced measures including daily humanitarian pauses in parts of Gaza and limited aid airdrops. However, the United Nations and aid workers say little has changed. Crowds frequently swarm and loot trucks, preventing aid from reaching those in need.
Since the war began, Israel has tightly controlled the flow of goods into Gaza. In March, it completely halted the entry of food, fuel, and medicine to pressure Hamas. Though restrictions were slightly eased in May, a U.S.-backed delivery system has struggled amid violence, chaos, and limited coordination. Israeli authorities claim there are no limits on aid, but humanitarian groups argue that military restrictions and insecurity on the ground continue to block effective delivery.
Doctors Without Borders has criticized the airdrops as insufficient and dangerous, noting they provide far less aid than traditional truck deliveries. Despite Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s claim that “no one is starving in Gaza,” international pressure is growing. Even Israel’s closest allies are expressing doubt. “Those children look very hungry,” former U.S. President Donald Trump said recently.
The IPC’s alert, based on data up to July 25, calls for immediate, large-scale humanitarian intervention. Without it, the report warns, Gaza will face widespread death and an irreversible collapse of human life. (AP)
