The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC), a global initiative supported by governments, the United Nations, and non-governmental organizations, announced on Friday that famine has been determined in Gaza Governorate, where Gaza City is located. The IPC report projected that famine would spread to Deir al-Balah Governorate in central Gaza and Khan Younis Governorate in southern Gaza by the end of September. Although the IPC does not formally declare famines, its assessments often guide governments and international bodies such as the U.N. in issuing official famine declarations.
According to the IPC, more than half a million people in Gaza are currently facing Phase 5 conditions, which are described as catastrophic levels of food insecurity. Another 1.07 million people, representing 54% of the population, are experiencing Phase 4 emergency conditions. The report warned that by late September 2025, nearly 641,000 people—almost one-third of Gaza’s population—would be in catastrophic conditions, while those facing emergency levels would rise to 1.14 million. The IPC noted that these figures underestimate the true scope of the crisis, as access to North Gaza remains restricted and estimates exclude Rafah, which is largely uninhabited.
Israeli Response and Denials
The findings were rejected by Israeli authorities. COGAT, the Israeli defense body overseeing aid to Gaza, issued a statement declaring it “firmly rejects the claim of famine in the Gaza Strip, and particularly in Gaza City,” arguing that the IPC’s conclusions were “based on partial and unreliable sources, many of them affiliated with Hamas.” Similarly, the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office dismissed the IPC’s assessment as “an outright lie” and “a modern blood libel.” The statement further asserted, “Israel, will continue to act responsibly, ensuring aid reaches Gaza’s civilians while destroying Hamas’s terror machine.”
Humanitarian Crisis Since the Blockade
The humanitarian situation worsened after a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas collapsed in March, followed by Israel’s blockade on aid entering Gaza. Reports of deaths linked to malnutrition have risen, with disturbing images of starving children and long lines for food emerging in recent months. Israel has said that the 11-week blockade, which lasted from mid-March to late May, was aimed at pressuring Hamas to release hostages taken during the October 7, 2023, attacks in southern Israel.
By mid-May, doctors and aid workers told ABC News that food, water, medicine, and medical supplies were running dangerously low, in some cases completely depleted. In response, Israel and the United States helped establish the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation to distribute aid at designated collection points. However, Palestinians and aid organizations reported that people attempting to retrieve aid were sometimes shot at, and widespread chaos persisted at distribution sites. The Israel Defense Forces later coordinated with countries such as Jordan to carry out aid airdrops, though humanitarian groups, including Doctors Without Borders, criticized the airdrops as “ineffective and dangerous.”
