Famine's shadow over Gaza: How children are bearing the brunt of the humanitarian crisis

Weakness. Fatigue. Dizziness. Muscle wasting. Weakened immune system. Persistent hunger. These are only a few of the several symptoms of fatigue. 

This is the reality of the hundreds of thousands of Palestinians. Over 20 months into the Israeli-Palestinian War, the Gaza Strip remains confronted with a critical risk of famine.

According to UNICEF and an Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) report, this risk is not just possible but increasingly likely due to expanded military operations, the inability of humanitarian agencies to access those in need, anticipated escalation of hostilities, and continued mass displacement.

Months had passed since a blockade was implemented, halting humanitarian aid and commercial supplies from entering the territory, which led to depletion or imminent depletion of essential goods.

The IPC report stated the entire population of Gaza is facing high levels of acute food insecurity, with half a million people (one in five) facing starvation.

The IPC’s report on food insecurity from 11 May to 30 September 2025 indicates that the entire population is in an Emergency situation (IPC Phase 4). Most of the population is expected to experience Crisis levels of food insecurity or worse (IPC Phase 3 or higher). This includes:

• 470,000 people (22%) in Catastrophe (IPC Phase 5)
• Over 1 million people (54%) in Emergency (IPC Phase 4)
• Half a million people (24%) in Crisis (IPC Phase 3)

From 1 April to 10 May 2025, 1.95 million people (93%) were classified as facing Crisis levels or worse (IPC Phase 3 or higher). This group includes 244,000 people (12%) in Catastrophe (IPC Phase 5) and 925,000 people (44%) in Emergency (IPC Phase 4).

A staggering total of 71,000 children under the age of five are expected to be acutely malnourished until March 2026, with 14,100 of these cases expected to be severe.

The head of Gaza’s largest hospital said 21 children have died due to malnutrition and starvation in the Palestinian territory in the past three days, amid a devastating assault by Israeli forces.

As if that isn’t enough, nearly 17,000 pregnant and breastfeeding women also require treatment for acute malnutrition during this period

The IPC stated that Acute malnutrition in North Gaza, Gaza, and Rafah governorates will likely reach Critical levels until the end of September.

So if the statistics are this alarming, what is the debate about famine declaration? 

While there is no universally accepted definition in international law, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) developed the IPC, a five-stage quantitative humanitarian scale. The IPC quantifiable criteria for declaring famine are:

• 20% or more of households in an area face extreme food shortages with a limited ability to cope.   
• Acute malnutrition in children exceeds 30%.
• The death rate exceeds two people per 10,000 per day.    

Meeting these benchmarks signals the need for a “famine” declaration, which, while not triggering legal obligations, is an important political signal for international humanitarian action.

According to the UN, on July 9, 2024, no fewer than 11 experts mandated by the United Nations Human Rights Council issued a “mayday call about famine in Gaza.”

However, despite the experts’ conclusions and glaring physical evidence, competent UN entities and executive heads had not yet officially declared Level 5 (famine) by July 2025.

Reasons for non-declaration    

Lack of data: Israel’s prevention of access for journalists and some humanitarian workers means IPC analysts lack primary data collection capabilities for Gaza.    

Political considerations: There is a perception that political considerations, influenced by the US administration, override professional imperatives within the UN system, with fear of punitive actions like sanctions or defunding.

Only immediate and sustained cessation of hostilities and the resumption of humanitarian aid delivery can prevent a descent into Famine.

The UN has outlined several critical recommendations to address the humanitarian crisis:

1. End Hostilities: An immediate, unconditional, and sustained ceasefire is essential to reduce the risk of famine and alleviate catastrophic suffering.

2. Ensure Humanitarian Access: Unhindered and safe access for humanitarian aid must be guaranteed to deliver lifesaving, multi-sectoral assistance at scale. This includes food, healthcare, water and sanitation (WASH), essential non-food items, fuel, and cooking gas.

3. Protect Aid Workers, Civilians, and Civilian Infrastructure: It is vital to safeguard those delivering and receiving aid, as well as to restore infrastructure that is critical for survival and assistance delivery.

4. Multi-sectoral Interventions: Food assistance alone is insufficient; integrated interventions that encompass food, nutrition, health, WASH, and livelihoods support are crucial.

5. Restore Commercial Supply and Local Production: Efforts should be made to restore large-scale commercial supply chains, essential services, market systems, and local production capabilities.