With the number of Palestinian deaths surpassing 60,000 since the start of the war, international food security experts issued their most serious warning yet regarding Gaza's hunger crisis, stating that the "worst-case scenario of famine" is occurring.
The 2.1 million-person region is experiencing an increase in hunger-related fatalities due to severe starvation, malnutrition, and disease, the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification said Tuesday.
According to Ross Smith, the director for emergency preparedness at the U.N. World Food Programme, a quarter of Gaza's population is facing "famine-like conditions," and nearly one-third has gone several days without food.
"The hunger crisis in Gaza has reached new and astonishing levels of desperation," Smith told reporters last week.
According to a report released by the Gaza Health Ministry on Tuesday, starvation has been blamed for the deaths of 60,034 Palestinians since the conflict started, including at least 88 children.
Malnutrition Crisis Deepens
"Severe acute malnutrition affects nearly 100,000 women and children," Smith added. At its two clinics in Gaza, Doctors Without Borders reported treating over 700 pregnant and breastfeeding women for malnutrition this month.
The consequences of chronic hunger, according to medical professionals, go well beyond the immediate suffering; they may change gene function and have an impact on future generations.
"It's a lifelong thing, and it's even across generations," said Marko Kerac, a clinical associate professor at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine who studies malnutrition's long-term effects.
Military Pauses, Aid Restrictions
Israel's military announced limited daily battle pauses over the weekend to let additional humanitarian supplies enter Gaza in response to growing international pressure. In certain places, the breaks permit the delivery of relief for ten hours every day.
Although, aid agencies cautioned that the increased flow is still insufficient to stop starvation. After removing a barrier that had prevented food and other necessities in May, Israel has only allowed a small amount of help to enter the region for weeks.
Since Israel started blocking food and medical supplies in March in an effort to apply pressure on Hamas to prolong ceasefire talks, the hunger crisis has grown significantly worse. Israel started bombarding the area again at the same time.
International Response
According to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's description of the situation, President Donald Trump acknowledged "real starvation" circumstances in Gaza on Monday.
Rep. Greg Stanton (D-Ariz.), wrote on social media that "the situation in Gaza is dire" and called for immediate delivery of food, water and medical supplies to civilians.
The IPC urged for rapid action but stressed that its warning was an alarm rather than a formal famine classification.
"This is the only path to stopping further deaths and catastrophic human suffering," the organization said, demanding an end to hostilities and unimpeded humanitarian access.
According to a statement released by Netanyahu's office on Tuesday, Israel would "continue to work with international agencies as well as the U.S. and European nations to ensure that large amounts of humanitarian aid flows into the Gaza Strip."
The situation in Gaza is "difficult," according to Israeli authorities, but Hamas is "attempting to fuel the perception of a humanitarian crisis." Throughout the conflict, Israel has maintained that Hamas redirects help from civilians.
What Phase 5 Could Mean for Gaza
Phase 5 of the IPC's five-phase scale for measuring food insecurity indicates that at least 20% of households are experiencing severe food shortages, and 30% of children are experiencing severe malnutrition.
Gaza is categorized as being in Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) Phase 5 and is either suffering or at high risk of famine, according to recent reports. Severe malnutrition in Gaza City and food intake in the majority of Gaza have therefore hit famine criteria.
