Overview
- The IPC says food security improved after the October ceasefire, with all four governorates classified in Emergency (Phase 4) through April 2026 and Gaza Governorate downgraded from famine.
- About 1.6 million people—roughly 77% of the population—remain in high acute food insecurity, with assistance largely covering only basic survival needs.
- More than 100,000 children under five and an estimated 37,000 pregnant or breastfeeding women are projected to require treatment for acute malnutrition through mid-October 2026.
- UN agencies warn that renewed hostilities or disrupted humanitarian and commercial flows could rapidly return Gaza to famine conditions.
- Access remains contested: OCHA recorded roughly 9,000 metric tons of aid rejected since October 10, winter storms have flooded shelters and caused reported hypothermia deaths, and Israeli officials have publicly disputed parts of the IPC assessment.