Gaza Faces Catastrophic Hunger, UN Warns

The entire population of Gaza is experiencing catastrophic levels of hunger, the United Nations warned on Tuesday, June 18. Aid delivery remains severely hampered by ongoing conflict and stringent restrictions, pushing the besieged territory to the brink of widespread famine, according to a report by BBC News.

www.bbc.com reported, International organizations are urgently calling for immediate and unimpeded humanitarian access to prevent a full-blown catastrophe. UN officials told reporters that the current situation is unprecedented in its scale and severity, with millions facing acute food insecurity across the Strip.

The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) report, cited by UN OCHA, indicated in March that famine was imminent in northern Gaza and projected to spread across the entire Strip by July. Over 1.1 million people, roughly half of Gaza's population, are currently facing catastrophic food insecurity (IPC Phase 5).

www.bbc.com noted, Obstacles to aid delivery include active hostilities, damaged infrastructure, and complex bureaucratic hurdles imposed by Israeli authorities, Reuters reported last week. The closure of the Rafah crossing in May further exacerbated the crisis, severely limiting the entry of vital supplies.

Humanitarian agencies, including UNRWA and the World Food Programme, have struggled to distribute aid effectively due to security risks and internal displacement. The lack of safe passage and consistent access points makes it nearly impossible to reach those most in need, according to statements from aid workers.

www.bbc.com reported, The international community has intensified calls for a sustained ceasefire and adherence to international humanitarian law. Leaders from various nations have urged all parties to the conflict to prioritize civilian protection and facilitate the flow of essential goods, as reported by The Guardian.

This dire situation underscores the urgent need for political solutions and a commitment from all actors to ensure the survival of Gaza's population. Without immediate intervention, the humanitarian crisis is expected to worsen dramatically in the coming weeks, UN officials confirmed.

• www.bbc.com noted, Historical Context of Blockade: Gaza has been under an Israeli and Egyptian blockade since 2007, significantly limiting the movement of goods and people. This long-standing restriction has weakened Gaza's economy and infrastructure, making its population highly vulnerable to crises, as detailed by the Council on Foreign Relations. The current conflict, which began in October 2023, has intensified these pre-existing vulnerabilities to an unprecedented degree.

• IPC Famine Classification: The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) is a global standard for food insecurity. Gaza's population is largely in IPC Phase 4 (Emergency) or Phase 5 (Catastrophe/Famine), with over 1.1 million people in Phase 5, according to a recent UN OCHA update. Famine is declared when at least 20% of households face extreme food shortages, 30% of children suffer from acute malnutrition, and two people per 10,000 die each day from starvation or disease related to malnutrition.

• www.bbc.com reported, Aid Delivery Obstacles: Despite international pressure, aid delivery into Gaza faces numerous challenges. These include Israeli security inspections, which humanitarian organizations like Oxfam describe as overly stringent and time-consuming, leading to long queues and spoilage. Active hostilities, damaged roads, and a breakdown of law and order within Gaza also hinder safe distribution, as reported by the Associated Press.

• Health and Nutrition Crisis: The lack of food is compounded by a severe health crisis. UNICEF reported in May that acute malnutrition rates among children in northern Gaza are alarmingly high, with one in three children under two years old suffering from acute malnutrition. The World Health Organization (WHO) has also highlighted the spread of infectious diseases due to contaminated water, poor sanitation, and limited access to medical care, further weakening the population's resilience to hunger.

• www.bbc.com noted, International Legal Obligations: Under international humanitarian law, specifically the Fourth Geneva Convention, an occupying power has the duty to ensure the provision of food and medical supplies to the population under its control. The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) emphasizes that all parties to a conflict must allow and facilitate rapid and unimpeded passage of humanitarian relief for civilians in need, a principle that human rights groups argue is not being fully upheld in Gaza.

• Future Outlook and Risks: Without a significant and sustained increase in humanitarian aid and a durable ceasefire, the risk of widespread famine across Gaza is extremely high, UN officials warned in late May. The long-term consequences include severe developmental issues for children, increased mortality rates, and a protracted humanitarian crisis that will require massive international support for recovery and reconstruction, according to analyses from various aid organizations.

• www.bbc.com reported, Key Stakeholders and Positions: Israel maintains that it is facilitating aid but faces security concerns and blames Hamas for diverting supplies. Hamas, on the other hand, accuses Israel of deliberately starving the population. Egypt controls the Rafah crossing and has faced pressure to open it more consistently. The international community, including the United States and European Union, is attempting to broker a ceasefire and increase aid, but diplomatic efforts have yielded limited success in alleviating the immediate crisis, as noted by various news outlets.