Intense Israeli attacks in Gaza result in the death of at least 25 Palestinians

In a shocking development, the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) has declared that Gaza City is experiencing famine. This is the first time the IPC has made such a pronouncement in the Middle East.

The declaration comes after a two-and-a-half-month blockade imposed by Israel on Gaza earlier this year. The blockade, which has since been eased with a focus on a new US-backed private aid supplier, the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), has failed to alleviate the dire situation in the region.

Despite recent airdrops and an influx of aid entering by land, UN and other aid agencies claim the food reaching Gaza is still insufficient. The United Nations, including its agencies such as the World Food Programme (WFP) and the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), have been actively working to end Israeli strikes and food restrictions in Gaza to prevent the spread of famine among the civilian population since the crisis began on October 7, 2023.

However, the war and Israel's restrictions of food into Gaza are causing starvation among civilians, according to aid groups. At least 25 people, including Palestinians seeking food, have been killed by Israeli strikes and shootings in Gaza. Journalists have reported chaos and security problems on roads leading to aid deliveries, and there have been reports of Israeli troops firing towards people seeking aid.

The military is preparing to seize Gaza City, with ground troops already active in strategic areas, and a wide-scale operation in Gaza City could start within days. This has further escalated the crisis, with at least 14 people being killed in the southern Gaza Strip by Israeli strikes early Saturday. More than half of the dead in the southern Gaza Strip were women and children.

The IPC states that nearly half a million people in Gaza, about a quarter of the population, face catastrophic hunger that leaves many at risk of dying. The declaration was denounced as "an outright lie" by Israeli prime minister Binyamin Netanyahu's office, with Israel accusing Hamas of starving the hostages and claiming it has allowed enough aid to enter during the war.

Aid group Doctors without Borders (MSF) has reported high numbers of patients at its clinics around Gaza City as people flee recent bombardments. The situation is critical, and urgent action is needed to alleviate the suffering of the people in Gaza.