Furthermore, the IPC indicated that circumstances in the northern territories could potentially be harsher than in Gaza City, although lack of data hinders precise assessment.

“Israel maintains no policy of enforced starvation,” a statement read. “Since the onset of conflict, Israel has facilitated the entry of 2 million tons of aid into the Gaza Strip, an average of over a ton per individual.”

How is famine classified?

The IPC — composed of 21 relief organizations, UN bodies, and regional groups backed by the European Union, Germany, Britain, and Canada — previously registered famines four times: Somalia in 2011, South Sudan in 2017 and 2020, and Sudan in 2024.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said the Gaza famine was a “man-made disaster, a moral indictment, and a failure of humanity itself”.

He called for an immediate ceasefire, the release of all hostages still held by Hamas and unfettered humanitarian access.

IPC says famine-related mortality could escalate

“The time for debate and hesitation has passed, starvation is present and is rapidly spreading,” it read.

“Without a ceasefire enabling unobstructed humanitarian aid to the entire Gaza Strip, and absent immediate reinstatement of vital food, health, nutrition, and WASH services, preventable mortalities will drastically rise.”

Britain, Canada, Australia and many European states recently said the humanitarian crisis had reached “unimaginable levels”.

UN refugee agency says Israel blocking ‘warehouses full of food’