Preventable Famine in Gaza Amid Israeli Blockade, Warns UN and IPC

Web desk

Published on Aug 23, 2025, 04:41 PM | 2 min read

Geneva: According to a report by the International Planning Committee for Food Sovereignty (IPC), the situation has reached its worst phase since the Israeli genocide has began. The report states that the intensified Israeli attacks, large-scale displacement of people, and severe restrictions on food distribution have worsened the crisis.

This is a famine that could have been prevented if allowed. Gaza is starving while food supplies pile up at the borders due to Israel’s deliberate obstructions. This famine should haunt all of us," said Tom Fletcher, head of the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), speaking to journalists.

Israel imposed a complete blockade on aid to Gaza in early March after violating the ceasefire agreement and escalating military operations. As the population neared mass starvation, only a very limited amount of aid was permitted at the end of May. However, Gaza is now heading toward extreme shortages of food, medicine, and fuel. More than a hundred humanitarian organisations and international agencies have raised alarms about the widespread famine across Gaza. Despite appeals from the UN and others, Israel did not relent.

The IPC report highlights that local food production in Gaza has collapsed. Around 98% of Gaza’s farmland has been destroyed. Livestock is nearly extinct. Fishing has been banned by Israel. The report also expresses concern that even safe drinking water is becoming unavailable.

The IPC is a coalition of observers appointed by the UN to issue warnings about food crises.

According to data from the Gaza Health Ministry, 62,192 Palestinians have been killed in the 22-month-long Israeli assault. The majority of the victims are women and children. UN Secretary-General António Guterres called the famine in Gaza a man-made disaster and a failure of humanity.

"This famine is not just about lack of food, but the deliberate destruction of conditions essential for human survival. People are starving. Children are dying. Those responsible for action are failing," Guterres said.

As the occupying power, Israel has a legal obligation under international law to ensure access to food and medical aid for the people of Gaza.

"This situation cannot be allowed to continue. There can be no more excuses. The time to act is not tomorrow – it is now," the UN chief reiterated.