A new report from the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) initiative, released on Monday, paints a grim picture of the Gaza Strip, where Israel’s ongoing blockade has pushed the entire 2.1 million population into acute food insecurity.
The analysis warns that 500,000 people — one in five — are facing starvation, with conditions deteriorating rapidly since the last IPC report in October 2024.
Over 60 days have passed since Israel halted all humanitarian aid and commercial supplies, leaving essential goods like food, water, and medicine either depleted or nearing exhaustion.
“Goods indispensable for people’s survival are either depleted or expected to run out in the coming weeks,” the IPC report stated.
Food prices have skyrocketed, with wheat flour in central and southern Gaza seeing a 3,000 percent increase since February.
Authorities in Gaza reported last week that at least 57 people have died from starvation due to the blockade.
The IPC projects that from May to September 2025, the entire population will face “Crisis” or worse levels of food insecurity, with 470,000 in “Catastrophe” (IPC Phase 5) and over a million in “Emergency” (IPC Phase 4).
“The entire population is facing high levels of acute food insecurity, with half a million people (one in five) facing starvation,” the report emphasized.
Northern Gaza and Rafah are particularly hard-hit, with widespread acute malnutrition expected.
Continued military operations and mass displacement are likely to exacerbate civil unrest and strain scarce resources.
The IPC report urges “urgent action” to halt hostilities, ensure unhindered humanitarian access, and protect civilians and aid workers, who have faced unprecedented violence.
Gaza’s Ministry of Health reported that Israeli forces have killed at least 52,862 Palestinians and injured 119,648 since October 7, 2023, amid what critics call a genocide.