gaza famine
Northern Gaza Strip Faces Famine Risk
Famine threatens the northern Gaza Strip amid intensified Israeli army operations and a near-total halt in food aid, a recent UN report warns. The Israeli army has responded to these claims by stating they are based on “partial and biased data”.
UN Report on Imminent Famine
The Integrated Food Security Classification (IPC) report warns of an imminent and substantial likelihood of famine due to the rapidly deteriorating situation in the Gaza Strip. It suggests that famine thresholds may have already been surpassed or will be surpassed in the near future.
Earlier in October, an IPC report estimated that about 345,000 Gazans, or 16% of the population, will face catastrophic levels of hunger between November and April 2025. This corresponds to the highest level of the Integrated Framework for Food Security Classification, level 5. However, the situation in the northern Gaza Strip has since deteriorated due to the collapse of food systems, decline in humanitarian aid, and a critical water, sanitation, and hygiene situation.
Israel’s Response to the Report
The Israeli military has expressed disagreement with the IPC assessments, stating they are inconsistent with the ground situation. According to Israeli authorities, over 840,000 tons of food carried by 39,000 trucks have entered the Gaza Strip in the past two months.
Israeli forces launched an operation in the northern Gaza Strip last month aimed at preventing the Islamist Hamas movement from rebuilding its fighting units. As a result, the number of aid shipments allowed into the Gaza Strip is now at its lowest level since October 2023.
The Rising Cost of Basic Commodities
As access to food continues to deteriorate, prices are rising on the black market. Gas has increased by 2,612%, gasoline by 1,315%, and wood by 250%. The UN warns that the livelihoods enabling people to buy or barter for food and other basic necessities have collapsed due to the extremely high prices of essential commodities.
The United States, Israel’s main ally, has given the Israeli authorities until November 13 to allow an increase in humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip, threatening to partially suspend military assistance to the country.
