Is Gaza on the brink of a famine declaration? | Global News

The latest report from the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification Initiative (IPC) has issued a dire warning for Gaza, stating that North Gaza is already facing famine conditions, with the rest of the territory at risk of the same fate by mid-July unless drastic changes occur.

The international food security agency has raised concerns about the entire population of Gaza potentially facing famine in the coming months. Since the outbreak of war on October 7, aid agencies and world leaders have been sounding the alarm about the risk of starvation in Gaza.

Despite efforts to expedite aid delivery, Israel has stated that bottlenecks at the border are beyond its control. The situation in Gaza has reached a critical point, with the IPC classifying North Gaza in the fifth phase of famine, where extreme lack of food and basic needs are evident.

The report highlights that 1.1 million Gazans, half of the population, could be facing famine by mid-July if the current situation persists. The southern areas of Deir-al Balah, Khan Younis, and Rafah are also at risk of reaching phase five famine levels.

The United Nations’ World Food Programme (WFP) has emphasized the severity of the situation, with virtually all Palestinians in Gaza skipping meals daily. The UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) is coordinating aid supplies, but the situation is described as “man-made starvation” by the IPC.

International leaders, including Rishi Sunak and Foreign Secretary Lord Cameron, have called on Israel to open more checkpoints to allow aid to reach those in need. The International Criminal Court has declared that famine is “setting in,” while the UN coordinator has warned that once a famine is declared, it is too late.

The crisis in Gaza underscores the urgent need for humanitarian intervention to prevent further suffering and loss of life.