World reacts as UN-backed body declares famine in Gaza
A UN-backed body, the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC), has officially declared famine in Gaza as of August 22, 2025. More than half a million Palestinians—approximately 25% of Gaza’s population—are experiencing famine conditions, with projections indicating the crisis may soon affect over 640,000 people. This declaration follows nearly two years of conflict, significant destruction of infrastructure, and major restrictions on humanitarian aid. It’s the first time IPC has documented famine outside Africa and signals a major humanitarian disaster in the modern Middle East.
United Nations: UN Secretary-General António Guterres labeled the famine a “man-made disaster, a moral failure, and a failure of humanity itself,” emphasizing that it is the result of the collapse of essential systems, not just food shortages. He reiterated Israel’s international legal obligations to ensure access to food and medical supplies for Gaza’s population and called for immediate action to end the crisis.
UN Agencies (FAO, UNICEF, WHO, WFP): These agencies demanded an immediate ceasefire and unimpeded humanitarian access to Gaza. They stressed that only a large-scale aid response can prevent further deaths from starvation, malnutrition, and disease, especially among vulnerable groups like children, the elderly, and the disabled.
Israel: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejected the famine declaration, calling it a “blatant falsehood.” He asserted that Israel is not pursuing a policy of starvation and cited the delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza during the conflict.
Hamas: Hamas called for an immediate end to hostilities, the lifting of the blockade, and opening of border crossings for free movement of food, medicine, water, and fuel. The group accused Israel of using starvation as a war tactic.
Palestinian Authority: The PA stated the IPC report removed any ambiguity about the famine’s existence and called for urgent international intervention, blaming Israeli occupation for the humanitarian disaster.
Saudi Arabia and GCC: Saudi Arabia described the situation as a stain on the international community and demanded UN Security Council action, while the Gulf Cooperation Council urged for pressure on Israel to allow unrestricted humanitarian aid into Gaza.
United Kingdom: UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy called the famine a “moral outrage” and “entirely preventable,” blaming Israel’s refusal to allow adequate aid as the trigger for the man-made catastrophe.
International Red Cross: The ICRC stated that as the power in Gaza, Israel is required to meet basic needs of the population and called the famine declaration a catalyst for urgent action.
Oxfam: The organization attributed the famine to Israel’s blockade and denial of requests from humanitarian agencies, with critical aid still being withheld at borders.
World Health Organization: WHO stressed the need for an immediate ceasefire and urged all parties to allow rapid, large-scale humanitarian assistance to save lives.
Situation on the Ground
Northern Gaza, especially Gaza City, is hit hardest, with forecasts the famine will spread to Deir Al Balah and Khan Younis within weeks.
UN agencies and aid groups warn that hundreds of thousands are going days without food, and there are rising deaths from starvation, especially among children.
Calls for an immediate ceasefire and opening of humanitarian corridors have intensified globally, with many accusing Israel of using starvation as a weapon and demanding accountability.
The situation is described as preventable and the result of policy decisions, not natural disaster. There is overwhelming pressure on all parties to allow humanitarian aid and halt actions that worsen the crisis.
