Global Hunger Monitor Says Famine Confirmed In Gaza City Region

Gaza City and its surrounding areas have officially entered famine, and hunger is expected to spread across the war-torn enclave, according to a United Nations-backed global hunger monitor. On Friday, August 22, the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) said nearly 514,000 Palestinians in Gaza—about a quarter of the population—are already experiencing famine. The number is projected to rise to 641,000 by the end of September.

The declaration follows 22 months of war, during which Israeli bombardments destroyed critical infrastructure and aid deliveries were severely restricted. Many Palestinians have been killed while trying to access food. The IPC said famine has been confirmed in northern Gaza, particularly the Gaza governorate that covers Gaza City, while conditions in central and southern areas, including Deir al-Balah and Khan Younis, are likely to meet famine criteria by late September. This is the first time the IPC has declared famine outside Africa.

“It is a famine we could have prevented had we been allowed,” said UN humanitarian chief Tom Fletcher, accusing Israel of blocking aid despite food piling up at border crossings. Israel rejected the findings as “false and biased.” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called the report an “outright lie”, insisting Israel has facilitated the entry of more than 2 million tonnes of aid since the war began.

While President Donald Trump acknowledged last month that “many people in Gaza are starving,” his position clashed with Netanyahu’s repeated denials. A US State Department spokesperson said Hamas was “promoting a false narrative of deliberate starvation” but added that Washington remained focused on ensuring aid reached civilians.

International reactions have been swift. Britain called the report “utterly horrifying” and urged Israel to allow unrestricted supplies of food, medicine and fuel. Canada, Australia and several European countries said the humanitarian crisis had reached “unimaginable levels”.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called the Gaza famine a “man-made disaster, a moral indictment, and a failure of humanity,” demanding a ceasefire, the release of hostages, and full humanitarian access. UN human rights chief Volker Turk warned that deaths from hunger could amount to a war crime, an allegation Israel rejects.

The IPC has previously declared famine only four times—in Somalia (2011), South Sudan (2017 and 2020), and Sudan (2024). Its criteria require at least 20% of households facing extreme food shortages, one-third of children acutely malnourished, and two of every 10,000 people dying daily from starvation or related disease.