Overview

• An IPC assessment confirmed a famine in the Gaza governorate, reporting more than 500,000 people in catastrophic conditions and warning the crisis is likely to spread to Deir el-Balah and Khan Younis by late September.
• Israel rejected the IPC finding as biased and asserted there is no famine, with COGAT arguing the analysis ignored recent steps it says were taken to stabilize humanitarian conditions.
• UN human rights chief Volker Türk warned that starving civilians for military purposes constitutes a war crime, and Antonio Guterres urged an immediate cease-fire, the release of all hostages and unfettered humanitarian access.
• The Israeli army said it has begun preliminary operations around Gaza City under an approved plan, positioned five divisions for a broader offensive and plans to recall 60,000 reservists, while claiming control of roughly 75% of the enclave.
• Hamas said it accepted a mediators’ 60‑day truce plan with phased hostage releases, but Israel has not formally agreed and senior officials have threatened devastating action against Gaza City unless Israel’s terms are met.