IPC confirms famine in Gaza Governorate as aid groups warn crisis could spread south without immediate action
The Gaza famine has arrived. On August 22, 2025, a UN-backed monitor officially declared famine in Gaza Governorate, saying 514,000 people face starvation and destitution. This declaration follows nearly two years of war that have choked all crossings into Gaza. Opening borders, protecting aid convoys, and delivering specialized nutrition could stop this preventable crisis before it moves to Deir al-Balah and Khan Younis.
What “Famine” Means under IPC Standards
Famine (IPC Phase 5) is the highest level of food insecurity. It requires three conditions:
- At least 20 percent of households face an extreme lack of food.
- Global Acute Malnutrition (GAM) exceeds 30 percent.
- Crude death rate (CDR) rises above 2 deaths per 10,000 people per day.
Meeting all three thresholds signals mass starvation, extreme destitution, and death without urgent relief (FAO/IPC).
How Gaza Reached This Point
Two years of conflict have given Israel full control over Gaza’s borders, airspace, and coastal waters. Hamas’s October 7, 2023 attack sparked a war that has devastated infrastructure and driven millions from their homes. Since then, aid deliveries have been erratic, and essential services collapsed.
Crossing Closures and Bottlenecks
Rafah, Kerem Shalom, and Erez remain the only land routes. Convoys face lengthy security checks, delays, and looting. In July 2025, just 14,000 metric tons of food aid entered Gaza—far below the 62,000 tons needed each month (UN OCHA). Many trucks never reach warehouses.
Israeli authorities argue they have cleared thousands of aid trucks, citing security risks. Yet UN and NGO reports show that most supplies stop on roadsides or are diverted before reaching families (UN OCHA; Reuters).
Fuel and Infrastructure Shortages
Fuel is scarce, halting bakeries, water pumps, and ambulances. Damaged roads and intermittent electricity make it nearly impossible to store perishable items or run health facilities. Clinics report only 36 percent functionality (UN OCHA).
The Human Cost: Children on the Brink
Children under five are hardest hit. Severe wasting has spiked, and clinics report rising deaths from diarrheal diseases and respiratory infections. Malnourished children cannot fight these illnesses.
Antoine Renard, WFP’s Palestine director, warned:
“Without consistent entry and distribution of items like specialised supplementary feeding items — high energy biscuits and fortified foods — we are watching a preventable crisis turn into a widespread nutrition emergency” (The Independent).
UNICEF estimates over 12,000 children were acutely malnourished in July 2025 alone, a six-fold rise since January (Al Jazeera).
Reactions and Political Debate
UN and Humanitarian Agencies
UN Secretary-General António Guterres called the famine a “man-made disaster” and urged immediate, unfettered aid access. WFP and WHO describe Gaza’s health system as collapsing under the weight of hunger and disease (Al Jazeera; WHO).
Israeli Government
Israel rejects the famine label, accusing the IPC of relying on biased data. Officials point to thousands of trucks cleared in recent months and stress the need for security screenings to prevent weapons smuggling (BBC).
NGO Perspectives
Save the Children and Oxfam describe the famine as “engineered” by siege and military operations. The International Rescue Committee calls it “a damning indictment of the failure to protect civilians” (Reuters).
Each side presents data on “trucks in” or “security threats.” What stands clear is that food must reach families’ hands, not just cross borders.
What Must Happen Now
To avert further catastrophe, aid groups outline urgent steps:
- Open and sustain all crossings for high-volume aid.
- Guarantee protected corridors for last-mile delivery in neighborhoods and clinics.
- Prioritize specialized nutrition products: ready-to-use therapeutic foods (RUTF) and supplementary feeding.
- Ensure reliable fuel for bakeries, water pumps, and medical facilities.
- Monitor distributions to prevent looting and diversion.
A documented ceasefire would allow large-scale relief and rebuild basic services. Each day of delay multiplies deaths.
Choices That Can Save Lives
The IPC declaration is a stark warning. Gaza is living famine conditions right now, but starvation is still preventable. Opening aid routes, securing convoys, and prioritizing nutrition for children and mothers can reverse these grim statistics.
You can help by supporting reputable aid organizations working in Gaza, advocating for safe humanitarian access, and sharing verified information. Famine ends when borders open, convoys run, and compassion guides policy.
