After 22 months of relentless conflict, over half a million people in the Gaza Strip are facing starvation, destitution and death. Another 1.07 million people—over half the population—are facing Emergency levels of acute food insecurity, The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification—IPC— reported on Friday.

The IPC defines Famine as a situation in which at least one in five households has an extreme lack of food and face starvation and destitution, resulting in extremely critical levels of acute malnutrition and death.

Famine is classified when an area has: 🔸>20% of households face extreme food shortages

🔸>30% of children suffer from acute malnutrition 🔸Daily mortality rate exceeds 2 per 10,000 people, or 4 per 10,000 children under five

With that facts, the Famine Review Committee (FRC) has determined that Famine is currently occurring in Gaza Governorate. Furthermore, the FRC projects Famine thresholds to be crossed in Deir al-Balah and Khan Younis Governorates in the coming weeks, this make the IPC to urgently called for an immediate ceasefire to save life and end starvation

FRC claimed the Famine is man-made and can therefore be rectified, stating in its statement that delay can be fatal

“The time for debate and hesitation has passed, starvation is present and is rapidly spreading. There should be no doubt in anyone’s mind that an immediate, at-scale response is needed. Any further delay—even by days—will result in a totally unacceptable escalation of Famine-related mortality,” the committee explained.

Philippe Lazzarin, Commissioner-General of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in an outrage accusing the government of Israel on Friday wrote: “Months of warnings have fallen on deaf ears. Famine is now confirmed in Gaza city.

“This is starvation by design & manmade by the Government of Israel. It is the direct result of banning food & other basic supplies for months including from UNRWA.

“The spread of famine can still be controlled by a ceasefire + allowing humanitarian organisations to do their work & reach starving people with aid. Time for political will!” he admonished

IPC in its statistics declared: “At least 132,000 children under the age of five are at risk of death from acute malnutrition. This number has doubled since May and includes over 41,000 severe cases.

UN Women statistic claimed “500,000 women and girls across Gaza face starvation, deprivation, and death, while it emphasised “Famine in Gaza must be stopped now.”

IPC advocated for: 📣 Immediate and sustained cessation of hostilities

📣Guarantee unconditional and safe humanitarian access

📣Immediate, largescale, unobstructed multisector humanitarian assistance

📣 Protect civilians and critical infrastructure

📣 Restore commercial flows, market systems, essential services, and local food production