In a staggering humanitarian crisis, the Gaza Strip is facing the prospect of widespread famine, with alarming statistics revealing that approximately half a million individuals, or one in five Palestinians, are currently confronting starvation. This stark reality has emerged from a recent report by the United Nations’ Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC), which indicates that the dire situation is significantly affecting the entire population, leading to high levels of acute food insecurity.

According to the IPC, the potential for famine in Gaza is not merely a distant threat; it has become increasingly likely as each day passes. For over 73 days, Israel has implemented a complete blockade, preventing any essential supplies, including food, water, and medical aid, from entering the region. This blockade has created a man-made crisis, with predictions that famine could be officially declared at any moment until September.

So, what constitutes a famine? It represents the most severe level of hunger characterized by severe food shortages, pervasive malnutrition, and alarming mortality rates due to starvation. The United Nations outlines specific criteria for declaring a famine:

  • At least 20 percent (one-fifth) of households must experience extreme food shortages.
  • More than 30 percent of children must suffer from acute malnutrition.
  • A minimum of two out of every 10,000 people or four out of every 10,000 children must die each day from starvation or hunger-related causes.

Famine signifies more than just an absence of food; it is the worst humanitarian emergency, indicating a total collapse of access to food, water, and essential survival systems.

Since the onset of Israel’s blockade on March 2, the World Health Organization (WHO) has reported that at least 57 children have succumbed to the devastating effects of malnutrition. With the looming threat of famine, understanding the physiological impacts of starvation has never been more critical.

Starvation, as defined medically, occurs when the human body is deprived of food for an extended duration, leading to severe health deterioration and eventual death. Reports indicate that individuals can typically survive without food for approximately three weeks, although this duration varies considerably based on individual circumstances.

Starvation progresses through three distinct stages:

  • First Stage: This initial phase can commence after the omission of just one meal.
  • Second Stage: In this prolonged fasting phase, the body begins to utilize stored fat for energy.
  • Third Stage: If starvation continues, the body exhausts its fat reserves and starts to consume bone and muscle, leading to often fatal consequences.

Children are particularly vulnerable during this crisis. The UN has reported that more than 9,000 children in Gaza have been admitted to hospitals for acute malnutrition treatment just this year. Projections from the IPC suggest that, between now and March 2026, nearly 71,000 children under five years old will experience acute malnutrition, with 14,100 of those facing severe cases.

The repercussions of malnutrition on children are severe, particularly within the first 1,000 days of life, a period that spans from pregnancy to two years of age, which is crucial for healthy development. Malnutrition can lead to disproportionate height-to-weight ratios, stunted growth, and ultimately, death.

Dr. Ahmed Abu Nasir, a pediatrician at Kamal Adwan Hospital in Beit Lahiya, asserted that the situation is worsening due to the blockade. “Children are in their growing stage and badly need certain nutrients, including proteins and fats. These are not available in the Gaza Strip, particularly in the north,” he told Al Jazeera.

Moreover, pregnant and breastfeeding women are at risk as well, with 17,000 women in Gaza facing malnutrition challenges. The entire populace of Gaza, which numbers approximately 2.1 million individuals, is grappling with food shortages that jeopardize their very existence.

Ahmad al-Najjar, a displaced Palestinian residing in Gaza City, expressed his despair, stating, “Finding a single meal has become an impossible quest.” Despite the presence of numerous trucks filled with vital supplies at the Egypt-Gaza border, Palestinians in Gaza have resorted to selling trash just to afford exorbitantly priced food items.

Alarmingly, 93 percent of Gaza’s population is now at risk of experiencing food insecurity that exceeds crisis levels, as indicated by the IPC. Should the situation remain unchanged, forecasts predict that among the 2.1 million residents:

  • 470,000 people (22 percent of the population) will face catastrophic levels of food insecurity, which is the most severe condition that indicates impending famine, starvation, and death.
  • More than one million (54 percent) will encounter emergency levels of food insecurity, placing them at high risk of critical malnutrition.
  • 500,000 people (24 percent) will experience crisis levels of food insecurity, where households are forced to engage in extreme measures to secure food.

In essence, if immediate action is not taken, Gaza’s entire population could be on the brink of starvation within as little as a month.

The effects of malnutrition and starvation are blatantly visible throughout Gaza, with many children and infants presenting as severely underweight. In children, severe deficiencies in protein can lead to dangerous fluid retention and a swollen abdomen.

Food insecurity is a pervasive issue across all areas of the blockaded Gaza Strip. The World Food Programme (WFP) has reported that all 25 bakeries it supports closed down in early April due to a lack of supplies, while food stocks at the majority of the 177 hot meal kitchens are reportedly exhausted. Certain governorates are experiencing even more catastrophic levels of hunger. According to the IPC:

  • 30 percent of North Gaza is facing catastrophic levels of food insecurity, with 60 percent in emergency and 10 percent in crisis levels.
  • In Rafah, 25 percent are facing catastrophic food insecurity, while 60 percent are in emergency and 15 percent are at crisis levels.

The IPC warns that the continuation of Israel’s blockade “would likely result in further mass displacement within and across governorates,” as essential supplies necessary for survival continue to dwindle.