According to UN-backed experts, the humanitarian situation in Gaza has sharply worsened with the declaration of an “entirely man-made” famine in the territory’s major metropolis and surrounding regions. Three critical famine thresholds have been reached in Gaza City, which is home to between 500,000 and 800,000 people, according to the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC), the world’s preeminent authority on food poverty and malnutrition.

This hunger may be stopped and even reversed since it is wholly man-made. There is famine and it is spreading quickly; the time for discussion and indecision is over. The research said that any further delay, even by a few days, would lead to an unacceptably high rate of famine-related deaths.

Since its founding in 2004, the IPC has publicly verified a famine in Gaza City, making it only the fifth location globally. Last year, the most recent occurred in Sudan.

According to the research, fatalities would rise “exponentially” if a truce is not established to let humanitarian supplies enter Gaza and if food, health, nutrition, water, and sanitation facilities are not promptly restored.

The World Health Organization confirmed statistics from Gaza’s health ministry that showed a sharp increase in famine- and malnutrition-related fatalities in recent weeks. Hunger has been blamed for 89 fatalities, mostly among children, in the 22 months following the October 2023 assaults on Israel, which were directed by Hamas. However, 133 fatalities, including 25 children, were reported in only the first 20 days of August.

The IPC study also cautioned that, while not yet officially classified as a famine, circumstances in northern Gaza are believed to be the worst, with hunger expected to spread to the communities of Deir al-Balah and Khan Younis in the next weeks.

Additional Israeli military offensives in Gaza City might have “catastrophic consequences” for people, according to aid authorities. “This is the worst, the most critical stage in the entire history of Gaza, not just in this war,” said Amjad Shawa, director of the Gaza NGOs Network. Our predicament is really complex. We can’t conceive what would happen if we don’t obtain food.”

“Urgent, comprehensive, and sustained action to end the swiftly deteriorating and ever-expanding humanitarian catastrophe in the Gaza Strip” was the plea made in the IPC report.