The Hindu: Published on 23 August 2025.
Why in News?
The UN officially declared a famine in Gaza for the first time, stating that over 500,000 people in the Gaza governorate are severely affected.
The UN blames Israel’s systematic obstruction of humanitarian aid as the key reason for the crisis.
This declaration comes amid escalating conflict and threats by Israel’s Defence Minister to destroy Gaza City, the largest urban centre in the territory.
Background:
The conflict between Israel and Hamas has been ongoing for nearly two years following the October 2023 escalation.
Gaza has been under blockade and repeated military operations, causing mass displacement, destruction of infrastructure, and shortages of essentials.
Aid access has been restricted or blocked multiple times by Israel, leading to severe humanitarian conditions.
The Rome-based Integrated Food Security Phase Classification Initiative (IPC), which provides global famine monitoring, confirmed famine levels in Gaza.
Key Issues:
Humanitarian Crisis-
- Famine now impacts half a million people in Gaza governorate.
- The famine is projected to spread to Deir el-Balah and Khan Yunis, covering nearly two-thirds of Gaza by September 2025.
- Severe shortages of food, medicine, fuel, and clean water.
- Nearly one million displaced people are crammed into famine-hit areas.
Israel’s Position-
Israel rejects the UN report, calling it biased and influenced by Hamas propaganda.
Israeli Defence Minister Katz threatened complete destruction of Gaza City unless Hamas releases hostages and disarms.
International Response-
UN officials: Called the famine “preventable” and blamed Israel’s blockade.
Human Rights Chief Volker Turk: Warned that starvation as a weapon of war amounts to a war crime.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres: Demanded an immediate ceasefire.
Hamas: Urged UN and Security Council to end the war and lift the siege.
Impact:
Humanitarian Impact: Starvation, malnutrition, and deaths are rapidly increasing.
Political Impact: Deepens Israel’s isolation internationally, increases calls for accountability and ceasefire.
Legal Impact: Possible war crime investigations under international humanitarian law.
Regional Impact: Escalation may destabilize neighboring regions, risk widening the conflict.
Global Impact: Divides the international community; increases pressure on aid delivery systems and global diplomacy.
Future Outlook:
If aid continues to be blocked: Famine could spread to most of Gaza, worsening death tolls.
If ceasefire is enforced: Humanitarian access may improve, but Israel insists on Hamas’s disarmament as a condition.
International Action: Possible UN resolutions, war crime inquiries, or stronger pressure on Israel.
Risk of escalation: Israel’s threat to level Gaza City signals intensification of conflict.
In summary:
The UN famine declaration marks a critical humanitarian turning point in the Gaza war. While the UN accuses Israel of using starvation as a weapon of war, Israel rejects these claims and continues its military push. The crisis exposes deep fractures in global diplomacy, with urgent calls for ceasefire and accountability to prevent further catastrophe.
