The IPC reported that 514,000 people in Gaza are experiencing famine, projected to rise to 641,000 by the end of September, with 280,000 in Gaza governorate already in famine. The IPC warned famine conditions could spread to central and southern areas and noted limited data may mask even worse conditions in parts of the north. Aid agencies report rapid increases in child malnutrition and hospitals are struggling with shortages of nutritious pastes and therapeutic milk as deaths from malnutrition spike. The U.N. humanitarian chief blamed systematic obstruction at borders, while Israel called the findings false and based on partial data.
The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) system said 514,000 people - close to a quarter of Palestinians in Gaza - are experiencing famine, with the number due to rise to 641,000 by the end of September. Some 280,000 of those people are in a northern region covering Gaza City - known as Gaza governorate - which the IPC said was in famine following nearly two years of war between Israel and Palestinian militants Hamas.
It added that the situation further north could be even worse than in Gaza City, but that limited data prevented any precise classification. Reuters has previously reported on the IPC's struggle to get access to data required to assess the crisis. "It is a famine that we could have prevented had we been allowed," said U.N. humanitarian chief Tom Fletcher. "Yet food stacks up at borders because of systematic obstruction by Israel"
Israel dismissed the findings as false and biased, saying the IPC had based its survey on partial data largely provided by Hamas, which did not take into account a recent influx of food. The report was an "outright lie", said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. "It is a modern blood libel, spreading like wildfire through prejudice. History will judge those who peddle it,"
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