UN Declares Famine in Gaza Affecting 500,000 amid Aid Blockade

The United Nations, through experts at the Rome-based Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC), officially declared a famine in Gaza, confirming that about 500,000 people in the Gaza governorate are now facing starvation, destitution, and death due to an entirely man-made crisis. The IPC warned that the famine is likely to spread to other parts of Gaza by the end of the month, with over half of Gaza's population suffering from emergency or crisis levels of food insecurity. UN officials and aid groups have blamed Israel's systematic obstruction of humanitarian aid for the famine, which has been worsened by a nearly two-year conflict with Hamas. Israel vehemently denies these accusations, accusing Hamas of exploiting aid and disputing the IPC's methodology and findings, including alleged changes to famine thresholds. UN aid chief Tom Fletcher emphasized that the famine is preventable if humanitarian aid and essential supplies are allowed into Gaza, calling for immediate action to halt the spreading crisis. The situation has sparked a contentious debate between the UN and Israel, highlighting the severe humanitarian consequences of the ongoing blockade and conflict in Gaza.