Overview

• The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification is expected to classify famine in the Gaza Governorate, including Gaza City, in a rare fifth global declaration since 2004 and the first in the Middle East.
• UNRWA reports a six-fold rise in severe child malnutrition since March, while WHO records over 12,000 under‑fives with wasting and more than 2,500 with the most severe form.
• Only 3% of 290,000 children needing nutrition supplements were reached in July, aid groups say, as supplies of fortified foods and infant formula remain critically low and distribution is beset by insecurity and looting.
• Israel rejects the famine designation and disputes Gaza Health Ministry death and malnutrition figures, with officials challenging IPC methods and data sources, including the use of MUAC and clinic-based screenings.
• Israeli forces have begun preliminary operations around Gaza City and plan to call up 60,000 reservists, while the IPC projects famine could extend to Deir al‑Balah and Khan Younis by the end of September without major relief.