‘Worst-case scenario of famine’ is unfolding in Gaza, UN-backed food security initiative says

A UN-backed food security agency has warned that “the worst case scenario of famine” is unfolding in Gaza, its starkest alert yet as starvation spreads and Israel faces growing international pressure to allow more food into the territory.

“Conflict and displacement have intensified, and access to food and other essential items and services has plummeted to unprecedented levels,” the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) said in an alert, adding that “mounting evidence shows that widespread starvation, malnutrition, and disease are driving a rise in hunger-related deaths.”

The IPC said that the alert is intended to “draw urgent attention to the rapidly deteriorating humanitarian situation” but doesn’t constitute a formal classification of famine. “Given the most recent information and data made available, a new IPC analysis is to be conducted without delay,” it added.

More than 20,000 children were admitted for treatment for acute malnutrition between April and mid-July, the IPC said, with more than 3,000 severely malnourished.

“Latest data indicates that famine thresholds have been reached for food consumption in most of the Gaza Strip and for acute malnutrition in Gaza City,” the alert said, calling for “immediate action” to end the hostilities and allow for “unimpeded, large-scale, life-saving humanitarian response.”

See also:

• Israel’s leader claims no one in Gaza is starving. Data and witnesses disagree (Associated Press)