The United Nations has officially declared Gaza to be in a state of famine, warning that the situation represents a man-made catastrophe and a failure of humanity. UN-backed food security authorities classified the Gaza Governorate at the highest level of food insecurity, citing extreme hunger, widespread malnutrition, and deaths directly linked to restricted access to food and essential services. Nearly 500,000 people, almost a quarter of the population, are already suffering, with numbers expected to rise to 640,000 by the end of next month.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres described the crisis as more than a lack of food, calling it the deliberate collapse of the systems required for survival. “This is a moral indictment and a failure of humanity itself,” he said, emphasising that the famine is entirely man-made and could be reversed if urgent humanitarian measures are implemented. The UN’s warning comes as Israel continues military operations in Gaza and prepares for a broader offensive, while limiting the entry of aid.

Israel has rejected the famine declaration, dismissing the UN report as a “blatant lie” and accusing Palestinian groups of mismanaging aid. Yet international agencies insist that the blockade and attacks are directly responsible for the worsening crisis, and calls for immediate, unrestricted aid are intensifying. Observers warn that without urgent intervention, the famine will continue to claim lives and deepen the suffering of civilians trapped under siege.