UN declares full-blown famine in Gaza
Guterres Calls Crisis a “Man-Made Disaster” as Conditions Worsen Across the Strip
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has declared a full-blown famine in northern Gaza, calling it a “man-made disaster” and urging the international community to take immediate action to prevent further catastrophe.
According to a report released Friday by the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) initiative, famine is currently occurring in the northern Gaza governorate—home to hundreds of thousands of Palestinians—and is projected to spread to central and southern regions, including Deir el-Balah and Khan Younis, by the end of September 2025.
“After 22 months of conflict, more than 500,000 people are already facing famine (IPC Phase 5)—a catastrophic level of food insecurity marked by starvation, acute malnutrition, and rising mortality,” the IPC report stated.
An additional 1.07 million people (54% of the population) are facing emergency-level hunger (IPC Phase 4), while 396,000 people (20%) are classified as being in crisis (IPC Phase 3).
Famine Expected to Spread Rapidly
Conditions in Gaza are expected to deteriorate significantly between mid-August and the end of September. By then, nearly **641,000 people—almost one-third of Gaza’s population—**are expected to be in IPC Phase 5, while the number of people in IPC Phase 4 is projected to increase to 1.14 million (58%).
This marks the most severe food crisis recorded in Gaza since the IPC began tracking food insecurity and malnutrition in the region. It is also the first time a famine has been officially declared in the Gaza Strip.
The IPC report described the situation as “a race against time,” emphasizing that “famine must be stopped at all costs.”
Children and Mothers at Extreme Risk
The humanitarian toll is especially grave for children and mothers. The IPC estimates that at least 132,000 children under five will be at risk of death from acute malnutrition by June 2026—a number that has doubled since the previous report in May 2025.
This includes more than 41,000 children in severe condition and at heightened risk of death. Additionally, nearly 55,500 pregnant and breastfeeding women are in urgent need of nutritional support.
As the crisis deepens, global aid agencies are calling for unimpeded humanitarian access and an immediate cessation of hostilities to allow food, medical supplies, and aid workers to reach those in need.
