Gaza City – July 29 2025 — A report issued Monday by the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) revealed growing and alarming evidence of widespread starvation across Gaza Strip, intensifying international pressure for increased humanitarian access by Israel.
IPC, an international body tasked with tracking food security in crisis zones, classified much of northern and central Gaza as being at Catastrophe/Famine level – its highest category – signifying extreme food shortages impacting at least 20% of households, acute malnutrition among its citizens and increased mortality rates.
“Gaza is in an urgent state,” stated the report, with mounting evidence of widespread starvation confirming fears that its region is on the verge of or currently experiencing famine conditions. Immediate and unimpeded humanitarian access are urgently required.”
According to IPC research, more than 80% of Gaza’s 2.3 million residents are experiencing emergency-level food insecurity, due to severe disruptions in supply chains, limited access to clean water sources and hostilities that remain ongoing in some areas where aid deliveries remain blocked or restricted.
This report comes amid mounting international calls on Israel to open additional land crossings and ensure safe corridors for aid deliveries. Humanitarian agencies indicate only a fraction of required assistance has reached Gaza since hostilities escalade earlier this year; UN agencies report only 20% of planned food deliveries have reached Gaza successfully during July.
Israel controls several key border crossings into Gaza and says aid trucks have been allowed through, though delays often arise due to security measures and verification processes intended to thwart Hamas from receiving weapons or military supplies.
However, the international community is becoming less patient. Numerous Western governments – France, Canada and Ireland among them – have joined the UN in pressing Israel to fulfill its obligations under international humanitarian law. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken issued a statement Monday night saying Israel must immediately take concrete steps to facilitate the flow of life-saving aid into Gaza as the civilian population cannot be made to suffer for political or military gain.”
Israel’s Foreign Ministry issued a response to the IPC report that expressed their displeasure with humanitarian conditions but denied allegations of deliberate obstruction. They noted their active cooperation with aid organizations as they expand delivery points when security allows. In their statement they claimed “We continue to cooperate actively with aid organizations and expand delivery points when security allows,” adding in addition:
Aid agencies such as the World Food Programme (WFP) and Medecins Sans Frontieres (Doctors Without Borders; Doctors Without Borders), are warning of time’s running out in Gaza. According to WFP spokesperson Lama Hadid, children are dying from hunger-related illness while pregnant women are severely malnourished while Gaza itself is spiraling downward.
IPC warned that without immediate steps taken to ensure sustained food and medical access, the death toll in Gaza could significantly rise in coming weeks. A high-level UN emergency meeting is scheduled later this week to discuss an immediate response plan – while those living there still face its tragic effects of worsening humanitarian catastrophe.