The Gaza Strip is facing an acute food shortage that has reached a critical level, with warnings of imminent famine and a major acceleration of deaths and malnutrition, according to a report from the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification global initiative. This alarming situation has only been declared twice before, in Somalia in 2011 and in South Sudan in 2017.
The report comes amidst ongoing conflict in the region, with Israeli forces conducting raids on Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City, leading to casualties on both sides. The situation has raised concerns about the level of control that Israeli forces have over northern Gaza, where the raid took place.
As the crisis deepens, the United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres, has called for an immediate humanitarian cease-fire to address the dire conditions faced by civilians in Gaza. President Biden has also expressed deep concern and urged Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to consider alternative approaches to targeting senior Hamas leaders without a major invasion.
The report highlights that as many as 1.1 million people in Gaza are at risk of experiencing catastrophic food shortages, with conditions particularly acute in northern Gaza due to continued fighting and limited access for aid organizations. Despite efforts by Israel to expand aid delivery in the region, the situation remains dire.
Foreign leaders have increasingly criticized Israel for the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, with accusations of using starvation as a weapon of war. The European Union’s foreign policy chief accused Israel of provoking famine, while Israel’s foreign minister defended the country’s efforts to allow aid into Gaza.
The report warns that central and southern parts of Gaza also face a risk of famine by July if the current situation persists. The majority of Gaza’s population has been displaced by the conflict, further exacerbating the humanitarian crisis.
As the international community grapples with how to address the escalating crisis in Gaza, the urgent need for humanitarian assistance and a lasting cease-fire is more pressing than ever.
