Famine declared in Gaza City, says report

Summary

A UN-backed report has declared a famine in Gaza City for the first time, warning that over half a million people face catastrophic starvation, including 132,000 children under five at risk of acute malnutrition. The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) raised Gaza to its highest alert, phase five. Israel swiftly rejected the findings, calling them biased and based on Hamas sources, with Prime Minister Netanyahu denying any starvation. The report comes amid Israel’s planned intensified military operations in Gaza and ongoing negotiations to release hostages and secure a ceasefire, with fears that famine could spread to other cities if urgent intervention is not provided.

Takeaways

• 😀 Aid agencies have been raising alarms for months about rising starvation in Gaza, with little aid coming in.
• 😀 For the first time, a UN-backed group has declared that Gaza City is experiencing famine, elevating the situation to phase five, the highest level of severity.
• 😀 The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) report reveals that over half a million people in Gaza are facing catastrophic conditions, including starvation and death.
• 😀 The report highlights that 132,000 children under five are at risk of dying from acute malnutrition in Gaza.
• 😀 Israel rejected the IPC report, calling it biased and based on sources from Hamas, and denied the existence of famine in Gaza.
• 😀 Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu dismissed the report as an outright lie and insisted there is no starvation in Gaza.
• 😀 The IPC report warns that, without intervention, famine could spread to other cities in Gaza, including Daryl Balah and Khan Yunis.
• 😀 Israel is preparing to escalate its military operation in Gaza City, with the goal of rooting out Hamas as part of ongoing military occupation.
• 😀 Negotiations continue between Israel and Hamas to release 50 remaining hostages and to work toward a potential ceasefire.
• 😀 The famine warning comes amid ongoing humanitarian concerns, making it difficult to witness the dire conditions faced by those in Gaza.

Q & A

What recent report confirmed the severity of the food crisis in Gaza?

The report from the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) confirmed that Gaza is experiencing a famine, raising the classification to Phase 5, the most severe level.

How many people are affected by catastrophic starvation in Gaza, according to the IPC report?

More than half a million people across Gaza are facing catastrophic conditions of starvation, destitution, and death, according to the IPC report.

What is the situation regarding children under five in Gaza, as per the report?

The IPC report highlights that 132,000 children under the age of five are at risk of death from acute malnutrition.

How did Israel respond to the IPC report about famine in Gaza?

Israel rejected the claim of famine, calling the report biased and based on Hamas sources. Prime Minister Netanyahu dismissed it as an outright lie, insisting there was no starvation in Gaza.

What is the Israeli government's position on the ongoing military operations in Gaza?

The Israeli government plans to intensify its military operations in Gaza City as part of efforts to root out Hamas, citing the need for military occupation.

What other areas in Gaza are at risk of famine, according to the IPC report?

The IPC report warns that, without intervention, the famine could spread to other cities, including Daryl Balah in central Gaza and Khan Yunis in the south.

What is the current status of talks between Israel and Hamas?

True talks between Israel and Hamas are ongoing, with a focus on releasing the remaining 50 hostages and securing a ceasefire.

How severe is the food security situation in Gaza, based on the IPC classification?

The IPC report classified the food security situation in Gaza as Phase 5, which is the highest and most severe level, indicating widespread famine and dire conditions.

What role do aid agencies play in the situation in Gaza?

Aid agencies have been warning about the rising rates of starvation in Gaza for months, with limited aid trickling into the region, which exacerbates the crisis.

Why is the famine crisis in Gaza particularly concerning for children?

The famine crisis is particularly concerning for children because 132,000 children under five are at immediate risk of dying from acute malnutrition, which has long-term effects on their health and development.