The famine wave that struck the Gaza Strip is not a natural disaster or an unforeseen side effect of war.
This is the consequence of political decisions, military strategies and global inaction. As UN Secretary-General António Guterres stated:
“This is simply a disaster created by man, a moral accusation—and the failure of humanity itself.”
A fresh study by the Integrated Classification of Food Safety Phase (IPC), supported by the UN and recognised as the primary determinant of hunger and malnutrition, announced a famine in the city of Gaza and surrounding areas. This means that 3 key thresholds have been exceeded: utmost malnutrition, acute hunger and death due to deficiency of food.
More than half a million people are presently in the "catastrophic" conditions – the highest, 5th level in the IPC classification. According to forecasts, the situation will deteriorate even further, covering further regions: Deir al-Balah and Khan Younis. By the end of September, the number of people suffering from hunger in the heaviest form will increase to 641,000, and another 1.14 million people will experience “emergency” conditions that mean immediate threat of life. Another 396,000 will be in the 3rd phase of the food crisis. In practice, this means that almost all enclave residents live on the brink of starvation.
This is the first case of officially confirmed famine in the mediate East in modern history. In a place that is fertile, where food lies at the borders, and yet cannot scope the starving. As UN Humanitarian Coordination Office chief Tom Fletcher said:
“It was a hunger that could be stopped if we were allowed to. It is hunger a fewer 100 meters from food, on a fertile land.”
He besides stressed:
“This is simply a hunger that we have repeatedly announced – but which has not been allowed to study to global media to be witnesses.”
"It is the famine of the year 2025. Hunger of the 21st century, observed by drones and the most modern military technologies in history. This hunger openly promoted by any Israeli leaders as weapons of war.”
In the face of all this, he continued:
“This is the hunger of the world. The hunger that will ask, ‘What have you done?’ The hunger that will and must haunt us all.”
The current situation is the consequence of systematic blocking of humanitarian aid. Despite any increases in the amount of support provided since July, the UN underlines that they are "extremely inadequate". The demolition covers 98% of agricultural crops, which practically eliminated local food production. 9 out of 10 people were forcibly displaced, and basic services specified as wellness care, water, sewage and hygiene – were completely broken down. The UN estimates that in July alone more than 12,000 children have been classified as affected by acute malnutrition – this is the highest monthly indicator in past and six times the growth since the beginning of the year.
The UN Secretary-General recalled:
"Famine is not a substance of deficiency of food – it is simply a deliberate breakdown of the systems needed to last a man."
He besides added:
“Israel as an business force has clear obligations under global law, including the provision of food and medical supplies to the population.”
In consequence to the IPC report, António Guterres stated:
‘No more excuses. The time for action is not next day – it is now.”
These words fall within the context of Israeli denial of the existence of hunger, as Israeli representatives called “Hamas lies”. At the same time, humanitarian organisations, UN agencies, and witnesses on the ground unanimously confirm the disastrous situation. Philippe Lazzarini, UNRWA chief, said directly:
“It is simply a famine designed and created by the government of Israel.”
He is assisted by UN advanced Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk, who considered hunger to be:
"The direct effect of the Israeli Government's actions."
He besides stressed:
"The usage of hunger as a method of combat is simply a war crime, and the resulting deaths can besides constitute a war crime in the form of intentional killing."
"Israeli authorities must immediately take action to end the famine in Gaza and prevent further deaths throughout the Gaza Strip. They must guarantee immediate access to adequate humanitarian aid and full access to UN organisations and another humanitarian actors."
Despite the Israeli army's declaration of humanitarian relief discharges, these actions are assessed by aid organisations as "a gruesome distraction". There were cases where falling pallets killed civilians. The BBC Verify identified 10 cases where discharges were made to areas that the Israeli military had previously designated as dangerous and prohibited to the civilian population. The UN warned that the "drop of aid" allowed into Gaza was not adequate to prevent mass hunger. According to the Israeli military body COGAT, about 300 trucks enter Gaza with a regular aid, but the UN says they request at least 600.
This is all happening in the shadow of the upcoming fresh Israeli offensive in the city of Gaza, announced for the coming days. UN agencies inform that:
"The escalation of military activities in the city, where conditions of hunger are already in place, will have disastrous effects on civilians."
In particular, there are children, elderly, sick and people with disabilities who have no way to evacuate. Since October 2023, or since the Hamas attack on confederate Israel, in which 1,200 people were killed and 251 were taken hostage, the number of victims in the Gaza Strip has increased to over 62,000 according to its wellness ministry.
According to the IPC report, as many as 132,000 children under the age of 5 will be at hazard of dying from malnutrition by June 2026. This means an almost full generation raised in hunger, suffering and trauma. erstwhile the planet looks, documents, analyses and condemns – hunger continues. erstwhile organizations warn, journalists effort to get through and the public protests – hunger continues. erstwhile politicians debate erstwhile to intervene – hunger continues. And the UN recalls:
‘It's not a secret. It's the hunger of the year 2025. Hunger of the 21st century, observed by drones and the most modern military technologies in history.”
Does mankind truly have nothing more to say?
