Israel Denies Famine in Gaza City, Claims Report a "Lie"

Strategic Insights -

A recent United Nations-backed report has declared famine in Gaza City, citing a rapidly spreading crisis entirely man-made and avoidable if a ceasefire allowed for aid to enter the war zone. The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) report warned of exponential increase in avoidable deaths without a ceasefire. The Israeli government has hit back, denying the claims and accusing the IPC of "forging" a famine by lowering the bar for classification. The report estimates that half a million people in Gaza City are suffering from famine, with at least 20% of households facing extreme food shortages and 15% of children suffering acute malnutrition.

Key Takeaways:

  • The IPC report declared famine in Gaza City, citing a rapidly spreading crisis that is "entirely man-made" and avoidable if a ceasefire allowed for aid to enter the war zone.
  • The report warned of an exponential increase in avoidable deaths without a ceasefire, with at least 20% of households facing extreme food shortages and 15% of children suffering acute malnutrition.
  • The Israeli government denied the claims, accusing the IPC of "forging" a famine by lowering the bar for classification.
  • The report estimated that half a million people in Gaza City are suffering from famine.
  • The Israeli Foreign Ministry criticized the IPC for declaring a famine due to 15% of children suffering acute malnutrition, rather than the traditional 30% rate.
  • The IPC report used arm circumference measurements to determine malnutrition, which only requires a 15% threshold.
  • The report said that since October 2023, Israel has enabled two million tons of aid to enter the Gaza Strip, over one ton of aid per person.
  • Foreign Secretary David Lammy described the findings as "utterly horrifying" and called on Israel to allow more aid into the war zone.

Statistics:

  • At least half a million people in Gaza City are suffering from famine.
  • 15% of children in Gaza City are suffering from acute malnutrition.
  • At least 20% of households in Gaza City face extreme food shortages.
  • 87% of Palestinians killed by the Israeli Defense Forces since October 2023 were civilians.
  • Two million tons of aid have entered the Gaza Strip since October 2023.
  • 59-page Famine Review Committee report published by the IPC.
  • 30% of children in Gaza City need to suffer acute malnutrition to qualify for famine classification (traditional rate).
  • Arm circumference measurements require only a 15% threshold to determine malnutrition.

Sources:

  • The Guardian
  • +972 Magazine
  • Local Call
  • UN-backed report by the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC)
  • Israeli Foreign Ministry statement
  • UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres' statement on X
  • Foreign Secretary David Lammy's statement
  • Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz's statement