The Gaza Strip is experiencing a critical food crisis with nearly two million people facing acute food insecurity. According to a recent analysis by the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC)‚ about 133‚000 individuals are enduring the most severe levels of hunger. This number has decreased from roughly 343‚000 in June however‚ its expected to double in the coming months.
Israeli military operations have intensified concerns and hindered humanitarian access. The IPC noted an increase in food entering Gaza since May‚ but access began shrinking again in September. Evacuation orders have disrupted aid operations‚ and repeated displacements have worn down peoples ability to cope and access necessities.
The situation is particularly dire in northern Gaza. No food aid entered the area from 10/2 to 10/15‚ when only a “trickle“ was allowed in. Most bakeries may be forced to shut down within days without additional fuel. Moreover‚ Israel has reportedly stopped processing requests from traders to import food to Gaza‚ choking off a crucial source of provisions.
The risk of famine persists across the whole Gaza Strip
The IPC‚ which sets the global standard on measuring food crises‚ warns that the entire Gaza Strip remains at risk of famine. Its most extreme warning is Phase 5‚ which has two levels: catastrophe and famine. By IPCs definition famine occurs when at least 20% of the population in an area are suffering extreme food shortages‚ with at least 30% of children acutely malnourished and two people out of every 10‚000 dying daily from starvation or malnutrition and disease
- 1.84 million people experiencing acute food insecurity
- 133‚000 people facing catastrophic hunger levels
- 60‚000 cases of acute malnutrition expected in children
The analysis was conducted from 9/30 to 10/4 and does not reflect the most recent developments. Most of Gazas 2.3 million inhabitants have been displaced by more than a year of war‚ many of them multiple times. Israeli bombardment has left much of the territory in ruins