Famine Over In Gaza, Situation Still 'Critical'

The food situation in Gaza remains "critical" despite somewhat eased conditions due to improved access to humanitarian aid, a UN-backed hunger monitor warned on Friday.

"No areas are classified in Famine," the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification Initiative (IPC) said in a report.

"The situation remains critical."

It said that over 70% of the Gaza Strip's population lived in makeshift shelters, with many facing an increased risk of hypothermia due to falling winter temperatures. Camps for displaced people in Gaza have been flooded in recent days due torrential rains.

Gaza faces 'emergency' levels of hunger

The IPC report said that the entire territory remained classified as "Emergency," with UN agencies stressing that the scale of destruction of agricultural destruction, hunger, malnutrition and disease remained "alarmingly high."

The agencies stressed that despite improved access to aid since a ceasefire came into effect on October 10, assistance is still insufficient.

"Humanitarian needs remain staggering, with current assistance addressing only the most basic survival requirements," the World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF, the World Food Programme (WFP) and the UN's agriculture agency (FAO) said in a joint statement.

The agencies called for a substantial increase in aid to the Gaza Strip, saying: "Only access, supplies and funding at scale can prevent famine from returning."

Around 1.6 million people are forecast to face "crisis" levels of food insecurity up to April 15, according to the IPC report.

The IPC declared that famine had broken out in Gaza City in August.

Israel-Hamas ceasefire yet to enter second phase

The announcement comes against the backdrop of a shaky US-brokered ceasefire between Israel and the Hamas militant group, with the both parties accusing each other of near-daily violations of the truce.

The first phase of the ceasefire is close to completion, with the remains of one hostage taken in the October 7, 2023 terror attacks by Hamas still in Gaza.

Earlier this month, mediators Qatar and Egypt called for the next step to be taken in the three-phase agreement.

The second phase stipulates a withdrawal of Israeli troops from parts of the Gaza Strip, with an interim authority taking control of the territory and an international stabilization force being deployed.

US President Donald Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff is expected to meet with senior officials from Egypt, Turkey and Qatar in Miami on Friday to discuss the second phase of the Gaza plan.

Source: DW