Gaza Faces Critical Hunger Crisis Despite End of Famine, Amid Aid Access Challenges and Ceasefire Delays
The International Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) reports that no areas in Gaza are currently classified as experiencing famine, although the entire Gaza Strip remains in an emergency phase. Nearly one in eight people face food shortages, with approximately 1.6 million expected to endure crisis-level hunger within the next four months.
A famine had been declared earlier in August due to Israeli restrictions, with the Gaza health ministry reporting that at least 450 people had been starving to death. The famine ended as humanitarian aid deliveries increased following the October ceasefire, yet the overall hunger and humanitarian situation remains critical.
Winter flooding and cold weather have exacerbated hunger and increased the risk of disease. Many of Gaza's residents continue to live in tents or substandard housing following the destruction of homes and infrastructure amid the conflict.
Access for aid remains limited and inconsistent. Although Israel has partly eased restrictions, relief workers report ongoing blockade and limitations. Oxfam states that Israel continues to block some aid shipments. In October alone, over 9,000 children were treated for acute malnutrition.
Regarding political developments, the second phase of the ceasefire agreement includes Israeli withdrawal from 53% of Gaza and the replacement of Hamas by a transitional authority alongside an international stabilisation force. However, delays threaten this progress. US envoy Steve Witkoff is scheduled to meet senior officials from Qatar, Egypt, and Turkey to advance this phase, while the Qatari prime minister has warned that such delays could endanger the process.
