Famine Declared in Gaza City as Israel Threatens Escalation
A formal famine has been declared in Gaza City, marking the first such declaration in the history of the Middle East, according to the UN-backed global hunger monitoring system.
The devastating announcement came on Friday as humanitarian conditions in the besieged Palestinian enclave continued to deteriorate. Aid organizations warn that the famine is likely to spread across Gaza if immediate international intervention is not secured.
The declaration underscores the collapse of food systems in Gaza following months of blockade, widespread displacement, and damage to essential infrastructure.
In a stark warning, Israel vowed to “open the gates of hell” on the region amid ongoing military operations. The escalation comes despite mounting calls from international bodies for de-escalation and urgent aid access.
Appearing on France24, UNICEF spokesperson Tess Ingram stressed the unprecedented scale of the crisis and called for unimpeded humanitarian access, particularly for children suffering from acute malnutrition.
“This is a catastrophic moment,” Ingram said. “We are witnessing children dying not only from conflict but from hunger, and the world must act—now.”
The UN and aid groups have repeatedly warned that without an immediate ceasefire and full restoration of humanitarian corridors, Gaza could face a complete humanitarian collapse in the coming weeks.
