United News of Bangladesh

The Gaza Strip's largest city is officially experiencing famine, according to the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC), the global authority on food crises. Without an immediate ceasefire and the removal of aid restrictions, the famine is expected to expand into southern areas like Deir al-Balah and Khan Younis by the end of next month. The IPC's report follows months of warnings from humanitarian organizations that Israel’s blockade and ongoing military actions are driving severe hunger, particularly among children. This is the first confirmed famine in the Middle East by IPC standards. Israel Dismisses the Famine ClaimIsraeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejected the report, calling it “an outright lie.” The Israeli military and government agencies claimed that aid is flowing into Gaza in large volumes and that there is no intentional starvation policy. The U.S. also expressed skepticism, instead blaming Hamas and looters for disrupting aid delivery. However, UN officials and humanitarian workers say aid entering Gaza remains insufficient, especially after a complete blockade from March to May, which halted the entry of food and medicine. The Human CostThe IPC says over 500,000 people—a quarter of Gaza’s population—are facing life-threatening levels of hunger. The crisis stems from intense fighting, collapsed food systems, and mass displacement over the 22-month conflict. UN Secretary-General António Guterres condemned the famine as a “human-made disaster” and called for an immediate ceasefire. Humanitarian experts warn the true extent of hunger may be even worse than the current data shows. What Qualifies as Famine?A famine is declared when: At least 20% of households are experiencing extreme food shortages,At least 30% of children under 5 suffer from acute malnutrition (or 15% by mid-upper arm circumference),At least two adults or four children per 10,000 people die each day from hunger or related diseases.The IPC says Gaza City has met these thresholds based on data from July 1 to August 15. Growing Concerns About the OffensiveIsrael plans to ramp up its military offensive in Gaza City, which experts say could worsen the humanitarian catastrophe, making it harder to evacuate civilians and deliver aid. According to witnesses and humanitarian groups, hundreds have died while trying to access aid, although Israeli officials claim those deaths are exaggerated or accidental. Stories From the GroundInside Gaza City, which once had a population of 700,000, entire neighborhoods lie in ruins. Many residents who returned during a temporary ceasefire are now trapped with limited access to food or clean water. Medical professionals report growing numbers of malnourished patients, many suffering from waterborne diseases that are harder to treat when the body is weakened by hunger. Yousef Sbeteh, a father of two teens injured in an airstrike, said his children are wasting away in the hospital. His 15-year-old daughter Aya has lost nearly 20 kg, while her 17-year-old brother Ahmad has dropped 15 kg—about 30% and 25% of their body weight, respectively. Their recovery is hindered by the lack of protein and nutritional supplements. “Doctors say she needs meat and fish,” said Sbeteh. “But I can't afford any of that now.”