BREAKING: The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) has just declared a devastating famine in Gaza City, marking the first official confirmation of such a crisis in the region. The IPC warns that without immediate humanitarian aid and a ceasefire, conditions are expected to worsen, potentially spreading famine to southern cities such as Khan Younis and Deir al-Balah.
According to the IPC’s report released on October 20, 2025, over 641,000 people in the Gaza Strip are currently facing catastrophic conditions characterized by starvation and death. The report reveals that an alarming 1.07 million people are at risk of severe hunger, with projections indicating that the situation will further deteriorate in the coming weeks.
Tom Fletcher, head of the U.N.’s Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, stated,
“It is a famine that we could have prevented if we had been allowed. Yet food stacks up at borders because of systematic obstruction by Israel.”
His comments underscore the urgent need for increased humanitarian access to alleviate suffering.
The IPC’s findings, supported by a coalition of more than a dozen U.N. agencies and NGOs, highlight a critical threshold of malnutrition and mortality in Gaza. Over 132,000 children under five are expected to suffer from acute malnutrition, a figure that has doubled since previous estimates in May 2025.
As the humanitarian situation deteriorates, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has categorically rejected the IPC’s assessment, claiming,
“There is no famine in Gaza,”
and asserting that more than 100,000 trucks of aid have entered the region since the onset of conflict. He maintains that reports of widespread starvation are exaggerations promoted by Hamas.
Despite increased aid in recent weeks, humanitarian groups argue that it remains insufficient to meet the dire needs of the population. Reports indicate that food prices have sharply declined in some markets, but the overall access to necessary supplies remains critically low.
The IPC’s classification of famine is based on stringent criteria: at least 20% of households must face extreme food shortages, 30%% of children aged six months to five years must suffer from acute malnutrition, and there must be at least two deaths daily due to starvation or related diseases.
This declaration is unprecedented in the context of the Middle East and raises serious concerns about the humanitarian implications for the millions living in Gaza. The IPC predicts that conditions will not improve soon, warning that between mid-August and the end of September 2025, the number of individuals facing catastrophic conditions may rise dramatically.
Authorities and humanitarian organizations around the world are closely monitoring the situation. The IPC’s report serves as a dire call to action for both the international community and local authorities to prioritize humanitarian aid and address the root causes of this crisis.
As the situation unfolds, the world watches in hope for a resolution that could avert further tragedy in Gaza. Stay tuned for updates as this story develops.
