The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC), a global initiative supported by governments, the United Nations, and nongovernmental organizations, issued a stark warning Tuesday that the “worst-case scenario of famine” is unfolding in Gaza. According to the IPC, mounting evidence indicates widespread starvation, malnutrition, and disease are causing an increase in hunger-related deaths, with critical thresholds reached for food consumption across the Gaza Strip and acute malnutrition in Gaza City.
More than 100 aid organizations warned last week of an urgent food shortage in the territory, raising alarms about potential mass starvation among Palestinians. Despite these warnings, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and members of his administration have denied the existence of a hunger crisis, calling claims of a starvation campaign in Gaza a “bold-faced lie.” Contrasting with Netanyahu, U.S. President Donald Trump expressed uncertainty on Monday about whether to believe the denial of starvation in Gaza. Meanwhile, the Israeli military announced plans to implement daily “tactical” pauses and open corridors to facilitate aid delivery. The IPC emphasized that immediate action is necessary to end hostilities and enable large-scale humanitarian efforts, calling it the only way to prevent further deaths and catastrophic suffering.