The World Food Programme (WFP) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) have issued a dire warning that Gaza is on the brink of full-scale famine, as food consumption and nutrition indicators reach their worst levels since the conflict began.
According to the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) report, two out of three famine thresholds have already been exceeded in parts of the Gaza Strip, leaving a narrow window to launch a comprehensive humanitarian response.
In a joint statement released on Tuesday, the UN agencies cited the ongoing conflict, collapse of basic services, and extreme restrictions on aid delivery as drivers of a catastrophic food security situation affecting hundreds of thousands across Gaza.
Key Indicators Show Rapid Deterioration
Food consumption, a key famine indicator, has dramatically declined since May. Data shows that 39% of Gaza’s population go days without eating, while over 500,000 people — nearly a quarter of Gaza’s residents — are living in famine-like conditions.
Acute malnutrition among children under five has quadrupled in just two months in Gaza City, now reaching 16.5%, posing an extreme risk of child mortality.
The third famine indicator — death from hunger — is also on the rise, although data collection remains difficult due to the collapse of healthcare systems under bombardment.
UN Calls for Immediate, Unrestricted Aid Access
WFP Executive Director Cindy McCain said it is unacceptable to wait for a formal famine declaration before providing life-saving food aid. “The suffering of Gaza’s people is already plain to see,” she said, calling for a continuous flow of food aid without delay.
UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell added that malnourished infants and children are dying, and that safe, immediate, and unimpeded humanitarian access is essential to deliver food, medicine, clean water, and nutritional supplies.
Despite the partial reopening of border crossings, the aid reaching Gaza remains woefully inadequate. To meet basic food and nutrition needs, more than 62,000 metric tons of relief aid per month are required.
UN Urges Full Ceasefire and Commercial Imports
UN agencies also stressed the importance of resuming commercial food imports, including fruits, vegetables, dairy, meat, and fish, to diversify the population’s diet.
While welcoming new commitments to improve humanitarian access — including humanitarian pauses — the agencies reiterated their call for a permanent ceasefire, safe release of hostages, and full humanitarian operations without delays.
The IPC framework classifies food insecurity in five phases, with famine (Phase 5) being the most severe. Gaza is rapidly approaching this threshold.
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