UN Declares Famine in Gaza, First in the Middle East

TDT | Manama

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The United Nations has officially declared a famine in Gaza, marking the first time such a declaration has been made in the Middle East. Experts warn that more than 500,000 people are now facing “catastrophic” hunger.

The UN placed responsibility on Israel, accusing it of systematically blocking aid from reaching the war-torn Palestinian territory. Israel strongly rejected the claim, calling the famine declaration “based on Hamas lies” and insisting that “there is no famine in Gaza.”

The assessment was carried out by the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification Initiative (IPC), a UN-backed body that monitors hunger crises. According to IPC standards, famine exists when a large portion of households suffer from extreme food shortages, high levels of child malnutrition, and death from starvation or related diseases.

The IPC confirmed that as of August 15, 2025, famine is present in Gaza City and its surrounding areas, home to nearly one million people. The report said that after nearly two years of war, more than half a million people in Gaza are now living in “catastrophic conditions marked by starvation, destitution, and death.”

The crisis is expected to worsen, with famine projected to spread to Deir el-Balah and Khan Yunis by the end of September, potentially affecting three-quarters of Gaza’s population.

The IPC described the situation as “entirely man-made,” pointing to intensified fighting, mass displacement, and severe restrictions on humanitarian and commercial supplies. Aid agencies have long warned that Israel’s blockade, particularly a complete ban on aid in March followed by only limited deliveries since May, has led to critical shortages of food, medicine, and fuel.

UN rights chief Volker Turk condemned the use of starvation in war, calling it a war crime. Tom Fletcher, the UN’s emergency relief coordinator, said aid trucks remain stuck at Gaza’s borders due to “systematic obstruction by Israel,” adding that the unfolding famine “should haunt us all.”

UN Secretary-General António Guterres once again urged for an immediate ceasefire, the release of hostages held by Hamas, and full humanitarian access to Gaza.

“We cannot allow this situation to continue with impunity,” he said.