UN-Backed Body Declares Man-Made Famine in Gaza Amid Warnings of Worsening Crisis

The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC), a UN-backed body, has declared a man-made famine in Gaza, confirming that over half a million people are facing catastrophic starvation after 22 months of conflict. This famine, described by UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres as a direct result of Israeli government actions and a man-made disaster, is marked by severe food shortages, acute malnutrition, and increasing deaths. The IPC warns that without an immediate ceasefire and unrestricted humanitarian aid, the famine will spread further across Gaza, affecting more than a third of its population with catastrophic conditions. UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy condemned Israel's restrictions on aid as a "moral outrage" and called for the Israeli government to urgently allow unhindered access for food, medical supplies, and fuel to Gaza, emphasizing the critical need to halt hostilities to prevent worsening the crisis. Humanitarian agencies and international bodies stress that the famine is entirely preventable if immediate, large-scale responses occur, but delays could lead to a drastic escalation in famine-related mortality. The situation remains dire, with acute malnutrition projected to worsen rapidly, particularly affecting children.