What's happened
The UN-backed IPC has confirmed famine in Gaza City, with conditions worsening across Gaza due to ongoing conflict, blockade, and restricted aid. Nearly half a million face starvation, and the situation is expected to deteriorate further without urgent international intervention. Israel disputes the findings.
What's behind the headline?
The confirmation of famine in Gaza by the IPC underscores a critical humanitarian catastrophe that has been escalating for months. The report's findings, based on established thresholds, reveal that over 20% of households are starving, and more than 30% of children suffer from acute malnutrition. Despite Israel's denial and claims of aid expansion, the evidence suggests a worsening crisis. The Israeli government’s rejection of the report as 'biased' masks the reality that restrictions and military actions are directly fueling the famine. The international community's response remains inadequate, with aid supplies limited and access restricted, prolonging suffering. This situation exemplifies how political decisions—particularly the blockade and military operations—are weaponizing starvation, echoing historical patterns of colonial and imperialist exploitation. The forecast is grim: unless there is a significant shift in policy, the number of starving Palestinians will continue to rise, and the death toll will increase sharply. The crisis also exposes the broader failure of global governance to prevent such humanitarian disasters when political interests override human rights.
What the papers say
The articles from Gulf News, The Independent, and Byline Times all confirm the IPC's findings of famine in Gaza, emphasizing the severity and official recognition of the crisis. Gulf News highlights the UN-backed classification and Israel's rejection, while The Independent details the deteriorating conditions and the potential spread southward. Both sources note Israel's denial and the limited aid entering Gaza, with The Independent stressing the impact on children and the health system. Byline Times offers a broader historical context, linking current events to a long history of Western policies of starvation and resource hoarding, framing the Gaza famine as part of a systemic pattern of imperialist exploitation. The articles collectively portray a dire humanitarian emergency driven by political choices, with international inaction and denial exacerbating the crisis.
How we got here
Gaza has been under a blockade and conflict for over two years, severely disrupting food supply and access. International aid has been limited by Israeli restrictions, and the region's collapse of food production has led aid agencies to warn of an imminent famine. The IPC's findings mark the first official famine confirmation in the Middle East, highlighting the severity of the crisis.
Go deeper
Common question
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What’s the Latest on the Gaza Conflict and Humanitarian Crisis?
The situation in Gaza is rapidly evolving, with military actions, political negotiations, and worsening humanitarian conditions. Many people are asking what’s happening right now, why certain military decisions are being made, and how the crisis is affecting civilians. Below, we answer some of the most common questions about the current state of Gaza, the ongoing conflict, and the humanitarian emergency unfolding there.
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What Caused the Famine in Gaza?
The famine in Gaza has shocked the world, with over half a million people facing catastrophic food shortages. But what exactly led to this crisis? Understanding the causes involves looking at ongoing conflict, blockades, and political decisions that have severely restricted aid and supplies. Below, we explore the key factors behind Gaza's worsening humanitarian situation and what is being done to help civilians in need.
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Will Israel's Gaza Operation Escalate Further?
The recent approval of a major military offensive by Israel in Gaza has raised concerns about the potential for further escalation. With Israeli forces mobilizing tens of thousands of reservists and Hamas responding with tentative ceasefire talks, many are wondering what comes next. Will the conflict intensify, or are there signs of de-escalation? Below, we explore the key questions surrounding this volatile situation.
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How Severe Is the Famine in Gaza Right Now?
The humanitarian crisis in Gaza has reached alarming levels, with the UN and aid organizations confirming a famine in the region. Over half a million people are facing catastrophic food shortages, and the situation continues to worsen due to ongoing conflict, blockades, and political decisions. Many are asking: How bad is it really? What is being done to help? And what can be done to stop this crisis from deepening? Below, we answer some of the most pressing questions about the famine in Gaza and the international response.
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What Is Causing the Famine in Gaza?
The famine in Gaza has reached a critical point, with thousands facing starvation amid ongoing conflict, blockade, and restricted aid. Many wonder what exactly is behind this humanitarian crisis and what can be done. Below, we explore the main causes of the Gaza famine, its impact, and the international response.
More on these topics
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Israel, formally known as the State of Israel, is a country in Western Asia, located on the southeastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea and the northern shore of the Red Sea.
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Benjamin Netanyahu is an Israeli politician serving as Prime Minister of Israel since 2009, and previously from 1996 to 1999. Netanyahu is also the Chairman of the Likud – National Liberal Movement.
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The Gaza Strip, or simply Gaza, is a self-governing Palestinian territory on the eastern coast of the Mediterranean Sea, that borders Egypt on the southwest for 11 kilometers and Israel on the east and north along a 51 km border.
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Hamas is a Palestinian Sunni-Islamic fundamentalist militant organization. It has a social service wing, Dawah, and a military wing, the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades.
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Gaza City, often simply called Gaza, is a city in the Gaza Strip, Palestine, and the capital of the Gaza Governorate. Located on the Mediterranean coast, 76.6 kilometres (47.6 mi) southwest of Jerusalem, it was home to Palestine's only port. With a popula
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Gaza most commonly refers to:
Gaza Strip, a Palestinian territory on the eastern coast of the Mediterranean Sea
Gaza City, a city in the Gaza Strip
Gaza may also refer to:
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The United Nations is an intergovernmental organization that aims to maintain international peace and security, develop friendly relations among nations, achieve international cooperation, and be a centre for harmonizing the actions of nations.