Famine Officially Declared in Gaza Governorate Amid Catastrophic Hunger Crisis

Geneva – A formal declaration of famine in the Gaza Governorate has been made by the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC), a leading global authority on food security. The announcement, confirmed on August 22, 2025, marks the first time a famine has been officially declared in the Middle East, highlighting a dire humanitarian crisis for the approximately two million Palestinians in Gaza.

The Wall Street Journal recently underscored the severity of the situation, stating, > "Many of the roughly two million Palestinians in Gaza face a grim routine over their daily struggle for food." This grim reality is now officially recognized as a famine, characterized by extreme food deprivation, acute malnutrition, and starvation-related deaths.

According to the IPC analysis, over half a million people in Gaza are currently experiencing catastrophic hunger conditions (IPC Phase 5), the most severe level of food insecurity. An additional 1.14 million people are in an emergency phase (IPC Phase 4), indicating widespread and severe food shortages. The UN World Food Programme (WFP) noted that these conditions are projected to spread to Deir Al Balah and Khan Younis governorates in the coming weeks.

UN officials, including UN relief chief Tom Fletcher, have described the famine as "man-made," attributing it to systematic obstruction of humanitarian aid by Israel. Fletcher stated that "food stacks up at borders because of systematic obstruction by Israel," emphasizing that it is a "famine within a few 100 meters of food in a fertile land." The UN Human Rights Office (OHCHR) further asserted that the famine is a "direct result of actions taken by the Israeli Government," citing destruction of infrastructure and restrictions on aid.

The health consequences are particularly devastating for children. The UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) reported that over 12,000 children were identified as acutely malnourished in July alone, a six-fold increase since the beginning of the year. The World Health Organization (WHO) has verified 206 deaths due to malnutrition in 2025, including 112 children, underscoring the urgent need for therapeutic feeding and medical intervention.

Humanitarian organizations continue to face significant challenges in delivering aid, including fuel shortages and operational restrictions. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has repeatedly called for an immediate ceasefire, unimpeded humanitarian access, and the restoration of essential services to prevent further loss of life. The international community is urged to take urgent action to address this escalating crisis.