UN Declares Famine in Gaza, Cites Israel’s Systematic Aid Obstruction

Why in the News?

The United Nations has officially declared a famine in Gaza, affecting nearly 500,000 people in the Gaza governorate. The Rome-based Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) blamed Israel’s systematic obstruction of humanitarian aid as the cause. The famine, projected to expand further by September 2025, has been described as entirely preventable.

Background

• Conflict Context: The ongoing war between Israel and Hamas has entered its 22nd month, with large-scale destruction, mass displacement, and severe humanitarian crises.
• Blockade: Israel has severely restricted aid, at times completely banning the entry of food, medicines, water, and fuel into Gaza.
• Displacement: Nearly a million people live in the Gaza governorate, with most of the population displaced at least once.
• Global Response:
  • UN officials, including Secretary-General António Guterres, have called the famine a war crime, citing starvation as a deliberate method of warfare.
  • Israel, however, has rejected the UN-backed findings, calling them “Hamas propaganda.”
• Projection: The IPC warns famine will spread to Deir el-Balah and Khan Yunis by September, affecting two-thirds of Gaza.

Feature

Scale of Humanitarian Crisis:

• Over 500,000 are in famine conditions, and millions are facing food insecurity.
• Starvation, malnutrition, and lack of medical access are worsening mortality.
• International Law & War Crimes:
• The Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court prohibits starvation as a method of warfare.
• The UN Human Rights Chief stated that using starvation deliberately constitutes a war crime.

Israel’s Position:

• A city is the “capital of Hamas” and must be neutralised.
• Israel’s Defence Minister threatened to “destroy Gaza City” unless Hamas disarms and releases hostages.

Hamas’s Position:

• Calls for the UN and UNSC to stop the war and lift the siege.
• Seeks unrestricted access to essential supplies.

International Reactions:

• Human rights groups and aid agencies condemn the blockade.
  UN calls for an immediate ceasefire and unrestricted humanitarian access.

Challenges

• Humanitarian Access: Aid convoys are often blocked or delayed, leading to preventable deaths.
• Security vs. Humanitarian Needs: Israel links aid access to hostage release and Hamas disarmament.
• Political Divisions: Deep mistrust between Israel, Hamas, and international mediators complicates solutions.
• Displacement & Infrastructure Collapse: Overcrowded shelters, destroyed hospitals, and collapsing water/sanitation systems amplify famine risks.
• Global Diplomacy: UN resolutions face vetoes and divisions in the UNSC, limiting enforcement.

Way Forward

• Immediate Humanitarian Corridors: Establish safe passage for aid under UN supervision, ensuring neutrality.
• Ceasefire Agreement: Push for a humanitarian truce to allow large-scale food and medical supplies.
• Accountability Mechanisms: The International Criminal Court and the UNHRC must investigate allegations of war crimes.
• Regional Mediation: Egypt, Qatar, and other regional actors could broker limited agreements on aid delivery.
• Long-Term Political Solution: Address root causes-Palestinian statehood, Israeli security concerns, and Hamas’s disarmament-to prevent recurring humanitarian disasters.

PRELIMS PRACTICE QUESTION

FAQ on UN Declares Famine in Gaza

Why did the UN declare a famine in Gaza?

The UN’s Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) declared famine due to severe hunger, mass malnutrition, and high mortality. Over 500,000 people in Gaza are already in famine conditions, mainly due to Israel’s obstruction of humanitarian aid.

What is the scale of the humanitarian crisis?

Nearly half a million people face famine. Millions more are food insecure. Starvation, disease, and lack of medical care are rapidly increasing deaths.

What role does international law play here?

Under the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court, deliberately using starvation as a method of warfare is a war crime. The UN Human Rights Chief has said the famine in Gaza may constitute such a crime.

What is Israel’s stance on the famine declaration?

Israel has rejected the UN findings, calling them “Hamas propaganda.” Israeli officials argue that Gaza City is Hamas’s base and must be neutralised, linking aid access to the disarmament of Hamas and the release of hostages.

What does Hamas say about the famine?

Hamas blames Israel’s blockade and military campaign for the famine. It demands that the UN and UNSC intervene, lift the siege, and allow unrestricted humanitarian aid.

How has the international community reacted?

UN & aid agencies: Urging immediate ceasefire and unrestricted aid access.
Human rights groups: Condemned Israel’s blockade.
Global powers: Divided; some push for truce, while UNSC action faces vetoes.

What are the main challenges in resolving this crisis?

Humanitarian aid convoys are being blocked or delayed. Security concerns tied to hostage release and Hamas disarmament. Collapse of Gaza’s infrastructure (hospitals, shelters, water supply). Political deadlock in the UNSC is preventing enforceable action.

What could be the way forward?

Establish UN-supervised humanitarian corridors. Secure a humanitarian ceasefire for aid delivery. Ensure accountability through ICC investigations into possible war crimes. Promote regional mediation via Egypt, Qatar, and others. Work on a long-term political settlement addressing Palestinian statehood, Israel’s security, and Hamas’s role.

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