Famine in Gaza City: A Humanitarian Catastrophe, Says UN Chief

Sat Aug 23 2025 08:13:50 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)
Famine in Gaza City: A Humanitarian Catastrophe, Says UN Chief

Antonio Guterres condemns the declared famine in Gaza as a 'failure of humanity' following the IPC's alarming report.


Over half a million Gazans face starvation amidst accusations of systemic obstruction of aid by Israel, highlighting the urgent need for intervention.

The United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has dubbed the famine now confirmed in and around Gaza City a "failure of humanity," describing it as an outcome of a "man-made disaster." This alarming declaration follows the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) elevating the food insecurity status in parts of Gaza to Phase 5, which signifies the most severe levels of hunger. Guterres lamented the impact on over half a million people who are currently experiencing "catastrophic" circumstances that include starvation and death.

Israel has categorically rejected the famine claims, labeling them as "outright lies." Meanwhile, the UN reports that Israel continues to limit aid access into Gaza, which contradicts statements from numerous humanitarian organizations, witnesses, and even some of Israel’s allies, including the United Kingdom, voicing concerns over the sufficiency of humanitarian aid. The IPC indicates that without an "immediate, at-scale response," the situation could lead to an "unacceptable escalation" in deaths related to famine.

The report anticipates that until late September, nearly 641,000 individuals in Gaza will be plunged into catastrophic conditions, while 1.14 million people could face emergency conditions. There is a grim prediction that by mid-2026, malnutrition may jeopardize the lives of 132,000 children under five years old.

One mother from Gaza City, Reem Tawfiq Khader, reflected on the hardship stating, "We haven't eaten any protein for five months. My youngest child is four years old - he doesn’t know what fruit and vegetables look or taste like." Parents in the region describe dire situations where children's health is deteriorating due to lack of nourishment.

UN aid officials emphasize that this famine is entirely preventable and attribute it to deliberate obstruction of food deliveries by Israel. Guterres insisted that Israel holds specific obligations under international law regarding the humane treatment of the population to ensure food and medical supplies reach them.

Philipe Lazzarini, of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, characterized the hunger crisis as “starvation by design, man-made by the Government of Israel." Meanwhile, UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy condemned the situation as "a moral outrage."

In response, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu argued that Israel does not enforce starvation but aims to prevent it, asserting that since the conflict began, millions of tons of aid have been allowed into the strip. However, as the international community raises alarms, the aid delivered is criticized for being inadequate, a concern emphasized by UN officials.

There are ongoing military operations in Gaza, initiated after attacks attributed to Hamas, resulting in significant casualties and dislocation among civilians. With the humanitarian situation worsening, the need for effective intervention and aid access remains urgent amid rising death tolls and devastation.

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