UN Declares First Official Middle East Famine in Gaza

On August 22, 2025, the United Nations-backed Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) declared a famine in Gaza City and its surrounding areas, marking the first official famine in the Middle East. The IPC report indicates that over 500,000 people are experiencing catastrophic levels of hunger, characterized by starvation, destitution, and death. The crisis is projected to worsen, with famine conditions expected to spread to Deir al-Balah and Khan Younis by the end of September, potentially affecting nearly 641,000 individuals.

The declaration follows nearly two years of conflict, which has severely disrupted food supplies and humanitarian aid. The ongoing hostilities have led to the destruction of critical infrastructure, including irrigation systems, roads, equipment, storage facilities, and markets, rendering 98.5% of cropland in the Gaza Strip damaged or inaccessible. This devastation has decimated local food production, leaving the population heavily reliant on external aid.

Despite international efforts, humanitarian aid has been insufficient to meet the escalating needs. In July, the number of households reporting severe hunger doubled compared to May, with more than one in three people going days without eating. Malnutrition among children has surged, with over 12,000 children identified as acutely malnourished in July alone—a six-fold increase since the start of the year.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres described the situation as a "man-made disaster" and a "failure of humanity," emphasizing the urgent need for a ceasefire and unrestricted humanitarian access to prevent further loss of life. The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), UNICEF, the World Food Programme (WFP), and the World Health Organization (WHO) have collectively called for an immediate ceasefire and full-scale humanitarian response to address the escalating hunger-related deaths and malnutrition.

European Commissioner for Crisis Management, Janez Lenarčič, stated, "Famine is no longer a risk in Gaza. It is a reality. Children are dying from hunger and disease, while families are going days without food. Access to clean water and health has collapsed."

Israeli officials have disputed the famine declaration, asserting that sufficient aid has been allowed into Gaza and denying the existence of famine conditions. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu labeled the IPC report as a "blatant lie," stating that Israel has permitted the entry of substantial humanitarian aid since the conflict began and attributing the crisis to Hamas.

The famine in Gaza has profound social implications, including increased mortality rates, particularly among children and vulnerable populations. The collapse of essential services, such as healthcare and sanitation, exacerbates the crisis, leading to the spread of diseases and further loss of life. The destruction of infrastructure and displacement of populations have long-term effects on the region's stability and development.

This is the first time a famine has been officially confirmed in the Middle East. Historically, famines have been more common in regions affected by natural disasters; however, the situation in Gaza is largely attributed to prolonged conflict and restricted access to humanitarian aid, highlighting the man-made nature of this crisis.

The famine declaration in Gaza underscores the severe humanitarian crisis unfolding in the region. The combination of prolonged conflict, destruction of infrastructure, and restricted access to aid has led to catastrophic levels of hunger and malnutrition. Immediate international action is imperative to prevent further loss of life and to address the underlying causes of this man-made disaster.