UN Declares Famine in Gaza, Marking First Such Declaration in Middle East

On August 22, 2025, the United Nations declared a famine in Gaza City, marking the first such declaration in the Middle East. The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC), a UN-backed consortium, confirmed that as of August 15, Gaza City had reached IPC Phase 5—the highest level indicating famine. This assessment highlights the severe humanitarian crisis unfolding in the region.

The IPC report indicates that over 500,000 people in Gaza are experiencing catastrophic hunger conditions, characterized by extreme food deprivation, acute malnutrition, and starvation-related deaths. The crisis is projected to worsen, with famine conditions expected to spread to Deir al-Balah and Khan Younis governorates by the end of September, potentially affecting nearly 641,000 individuals, or about one-third of Gaza's population.

The humanitarian situation in Gaza has deteriorated due to nearly two years of conflict, repeated displacement, and severe restrictions on humanitarian access. The local food system has collapsed, with an estimated 98% of cropland damaged or inaccessible, livestock decimated, and fishing activities banned. Additionally, the health system has severely deteriorated, and access to safe drinking water and adequate hygiene has been drastically reduced.

UN officials have emphasized the urgency of an immediate ceasefire and unimpeded humanitarian access to prevent further deaths from hunger and malnutrition. They have called for a full-scale humanitarian response to address the escalating crisis. UN Secretary-General António Guterres stated, "Just when it seems there are no words left to describe the living hell in Gaza, a new one has been added: 'famine.' This is not a mystery—it is a man-made disaster, a moral indictment, and a failure of humanity itself."

The Israeli government has rejected the IPC's assessment, labeling it as politically motivated and inaccurate. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated, "The IPC report is an outright lie," asserting that "Israel does not have a policy of starvation," citing the delivery of humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip during the war.

Hamas officials insist that famine conditions are "more grave than reported" and call for immediate aid access. In a statement, Hamas called for "immediate action by the UN and the Security Council to stop the war and lift the siege" and demanded that crossings be opened "without restrictions to allow the urgent and continuous entry of food, medicine, water, and fuel."

The famine declaration underscores the severe humanitarian crisis in Gaza, with profound implications for the health and well-being of the population, particularly vulnerable groups such as children and pregnant women. Malnutrition among children is accelerating at a catastrophic pace. In July alone, more than 12,000 children were identified as acutely malnourished—a six-fold increase since the start of the year. Nearly one in four of these children were suffering from severe acute malnutrition, the deadliest form with both short- and long-term impacts.

The crisis has intensified political tensions and highlighted the urgent need for international intervention to alleviate the suffering of Gaza's residents. The UN's declaration of famine in Gaza City is a significant and alarming development, highlighting the dire humanitarian situation in the region. The crisis necessitates immediate international attention and action to prevent further loss of life and to address the underlying causes of the famine.