The United Nations has officially declared a famine in Gaza.

The UN-backed Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) formally declared a famine in Gaza and surrounding areas on August 22, 2025. The Rome-based IPC said, "Famine has been confirmed in Gaza by August 15, 2025." The humanitarian situation has been worsening for months after Israel intensified its attack against Hamas, the report said. According to the report, 30 percent of children under the age of five in Gaza are malnourished, and at least two out of every 10,000 people die daily from starvation or malnutrition and disease.

Currently, about one million people live in the Gaza Strip . The UN estimates that the famine will spread to Deir al-Balah and Khan Yunis provinces by the end of September. Because of this, about six hundred and forty one thousand people of Gaza have to face starvation .

However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said that this report is a lie. The statement given by the Prime Minister's Office said, "Israel's policy is not starvation". Instead, there is a policy to prevent starvation. Netanyahu has claimed that since October 2023, 2 million aid has been delivered to the Gaza Strip

  Netanyahu said in a statement criticizing the IPC report, "Like all recent IPC reports, this report ignores Israel's humanitarian efforts and the theft of aid by Hamas." How did the famine happen?

According to the IPC, the famine in Gaza is an entirely man-made crisis . The Israeli-Gaza war, which began after the attack by Hamas on October 7, 2023, has destroyed most of Gaza's infrastructure. 1.9 million people have been displaced due to the destruction of infrastructure. They are deprived of food because they have no idea where and what to eat. 

98% of Gaza's farmland has been damaged, leaving them unable to produce. Similarly, after Israel imposed a ban on fishing activities, it had an additional effect . On the one hand, Israel has destroyed production in Gaza.

Israel not only stopped the production but also imposed a blockade . In March 2025, Israel imposed a total blockade of food, water, medicine and fuel on Gaza. The embargo was partially eased at the end of May after international pressure. Currently, 600 trucks are needed daily for the displaced in Gaza, but Israel has only allowed half of the trucks to enter.

Although Israel rejects these bases of the IPC, the international organizations have expressed the need to immediately lead to a solution. The United Nations and various human rights organizations have demanded immediate action to stop the starvation of Gaza. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called the Gaza famine a "man-made disaster and a failure of humanity" and called on Israel to take responsibility for food and medical supplies.

The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) also said it was ready to send 6,000 truckloads of food, medicine and hygiene supplies to Gaza in its warehouses in Jordan and Egypt. They have demanded that Israel be allowed to enter aid immediately. Similarly, the World Food Program (WFP) has demanded an immediate ceasefire and removal of obstacles to aid distribution  . 

Hamas refuses to accept a cease-fire, Israel The United Nations has warned that if there is no immediate cease-fire, it will cause great damage. Hamas is ready for a ceasefire. But Israel has not shown much interest in the ceasefire. Qatar and Egypt offered a ceasefire to Hamas. Hamas accepted the offer and said they would release the prisoners. However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is attacking Gaza by rejecting the ceasefire and adding new conditions. As of 23 August 2025, Israel continues its offensive with the aim of encircling and taking control of Gaza City . According to Al Jazeera, at least 70 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza in the last 24 hours. They have not only attacked, they have also warned that they will destroy Gaza City . Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz has warned that Gaza will be destroyed if it does not obey the Israeli conditions.