Official famine has begun in Gaza

IPC — the UN's global hunger monitoring system — announced that an official famine has begun in Gaza city and its surroundings, Kursiv.media reported.

It is emphasized that currently 514 thousand people, or about a quarter of the population, are suffering from famine. By the end of September, this number could reach 641 thousand people.

Tom Fletcher, head of the UN humanitarian affairs, said this tragedy could have been prevented, but due to systematic obstacles created by Israel, food aid is stuck at the borders. Israel rejected this report as "false and biased."

UN Secretary-General António Guterres called the famine in Gaza a "humanitarian disaster" and urged an immediate ceasefire and unhindered delivery of humanitarian aid.

For reference, this is the first famine recorded by IPC outside Africa, and the situation may spread to the Deir al-Balah and Khan Yunis areas.