The UN-backed Integrated Food Security Phase Classification is expected to formally declare a famine in Gaza City on Friday morning. This marks the first time the international monitoring body will officially recognise famine conditions in the Palestinian territory since the conflict began.
Gaza City, home to approximately 500,000 people, represents the last remaining major built-up area of Gaza. The declaration affects the entire population of this densely populated urban centre.
Historic declaration amid conflict
The IPC has declared only four famines since its establishment in 2004, with the most recent occurring in Sudan last year. The Independent reports this would be the first confirmed famine in the Middle East region according to IPC briefing documents.
Three strict criteria must be met for an official famine declaration: at least 20 per cent of households face an extreme lack of food, at least 30 per cent of children suffer acute malnutrition, and two people for every 10,000 die each day due to outright starvation.
Starvation deaths accelerating
The Daily Mail reports that 271 people have died from starvation in Gaza, with 112 of them children. More than half of these deaths occurred in the last three weeks alone.
The Independent reveals that 133 deaths were attributed to malnutrition in the first 20 days of August alone, including 25 children. The acceleration of deaths demonstrates the rapidly deteriorating humanitarian situation.
Critical shortages for infants
Only baby formula for 2,500 babies remains available whilst at least 10,000 babies need formula, according to The Independent. This severe shortage particularly threatens the lives of Gaza's youngest residents.
The Israeli government has consistently denied that famine conditions exist in Gaza. Israeli forces are currently moving in on Gaza City as part of their ongoing military operations.
Sources used: "The Telegraph", "The Guardian", "Daily Mail", "The Independent" Note: This article has been edited with the help of Artificial Intelligence.
