Despite gravity, the new warning does not represent a formal declaration of hunger in Gaza
The integrated evaluation of the food safety phases (IPC) has issued a warning that “the worst hunger scenario is currently materialized in the Gaza Strip”.
The document, produced by a technical review of the United Nations, says:
“Crescent evidence shows that widespread hunger, malnutrition and diseases are causing an increase in hunger related deaths.”
“More recent data indicate that hunger thresholds have been reached in relation to the consumption of food in most of the Gaza range and in acute malnutrition in the city of Gaza.”
In May, the IPC had already warned that the approximately 2.1 million Palestinians who lived in Gaza had a “critical risk” of hunger and faced “extreme levels of food insecurity”.
Despite the gravity, the new warning does not represent a formal declaration of hunger in Gaza. The IPC reports that it will make a new analysis “without delay”.
The leaders of the United Nations ask for a ceased for immediate fire and more humanitarian aid
On the eve of the publication of the notice, several United Nations Authorities have spoken of the situation in Gaza:
- António Guterres, secretary general of the United Nations: “Gaza’s total destruction is intolerable. He should stop.”
- Tom Fletcher, United Nations Humanitarian Chief: “The next few days will be decisive. We must offer help on a much, much wider scale. There are large quantities of help much faster.”
- Ben Majekodunmi, head of the United Nations Agency staff for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA): “The words of indignation and condemnation are no longer sufficient in the face of what is happening. Immediate action to improve a slightly requested food, affecting the current huilding and free all Elhes”.
Both Israel and Hamas blame themselves for the humanitarian situation in Gaza.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said: “There is no hunger in Gaza, no hunger policy in Gaza”.
What else does the IPC report say?
The same evaluation supported by the United Nations states that “only immediate action to end hostilities” and humanitarian access “without impediments and on a large scale” can avoid more dead and “catastrophic human suffering”.
They are among the main points of the relationship:
- Access to food and other essential articles and services has fallen to “unprecedented levels”;
- From May to July 2025, the percentage of families who face extreme hunger has doubled;
- In the city of Gaza, the malnutrition rate went from 4.4% to May to 16.5% in July; In June, two fifth of pregnant or breastfeeding women were in a state of acute malnutrition;
- North Gaza faces similar challenges and is underlined as a “area of great concern”, but the lack of data prevents complete verification
Information on the Gaza Umanitarian Foundation (GHF), a group supported by Israel and the United States, says:
- The IPC hunger review committee analyzed the food packages distributed by GHF and concluded that “the distribution plan would lead to mass hunger”;
- Most of the items provided by GHF “are not ready for consumption and require water and fuel for preparation, which are widely not available”;
- The report also criticizes access to GHF distribution points, which “require long and risky movements, with unequal access between the regions”.
What is necessary for a dietary crisis to be classified as hunger?
The IPC does not formally declare hunger, but provides technical analyzes that act as a basis for governments and bodies emit official statements.
According to the formal definition of the IPC, it is necessary to satisfy three criteria to characterize hunger:
- At least 20% of families have extreme lack of food and hunger or misery;
- More than 30% of children under five suffers from acute malnutrition;
- Two deaths from adults or four deaths of children every 10,000 people per day, caused by hunger or malnutrition.
The collection of data in Gaza was extremely difficult.
Amande Biszerolle, head of the emergency response of doctors without borders (MSF) in Gaza, told the AFP agency that the blocks and struggles prevent the research necessary for the formal classification of hunger.
Jean-Raphael Poitou, director of the Middle East of the action of NGOs against hunger, also listened to by AFP, said that the forced displaced people ordered by the Israeli army and the restrictions of the movement in the most affected areas “commented on the situation enormously.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejected the accusations that there is hunger in Gaza.
Sunday (27/7), he said: “What a clear lie. There is no hunger policy in Gaza and there is no hunger in Gaza”.
“We are facilitating the entry of the help”
While the IPC report was issued, the Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar spoke with journalists.
When asked if Israel would have blocked humanitarian aid, Sa’ar replied that this is a “lie” and that the “reality” is that the country is actually facilitating the entry of help.
According to him, over 200 trucks with humanitarian aid have entered Gaza since yesterday. “Anyone who wants to do it can do it,” he said.
The minister also stated that humanitarian corridors have been opened and mentioned the tactical breaks announced during the weekend, between 10 and 20:00, so that the trucks distribute the help safely. He also mentioned the launches of the airlines on Saturday and said: “There is no path that we are not using”.
However, the report published by the Agency supported by the United Nations underlines that “humanitarian aid remains extremely limited due to humanitarian access and frequent security accidents”.
Source: Terra
Ben Stock is a lifestyle journalist and author at Gossipify. He writes about topics such as health, wellness, travel, food and home decor. He provides practical advice and inspiration to improve well-being, keeps readers up to date with latest lifestyle news and trends, known for his engaging writing style, in-depth analysis and unique perspectives.
