Gaza Strip famine

The population of the Gaza Strip is undergoing a famine as a result of an Israeli blockade during the Gaza war that prevents basic essentials and humanitarian aid from entering Gaza, as well as airstrikes that have destroyed food infrastructure, such as bakeries, mills, and food stores, causing a widespread scarcity of essential supplies. Humanitarian aid has also been blocked by protests at borders and ports. Increasing societal breakdown in Gaza, including looting, has also been cited as a barrier to the provision of aid. As of August 2025, Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) projections show 100% of the population are experiencing "high levels of acute food insecurity", and 32% are projected to face Phase 5 catastrophic levels by 30 September 2025. On 22 August 2025, the IPC said that famine is taking place in one of the five governorates in the Gaza Strip: specifically, the Gaza Governorate which includes Gaza City. The IPC added that, within the next month, famine was likely to also occur in both the Deir al-Balah Governorate and Khan Yunis Governorate. The IPC had insufficient data on the North Gaza Governorate for a classification but concluded that conditions were likely similar or worse than in the Gaza Governorate. Within the next 6 weeks as of 16 August, the number of people in IPC Phase 5 is expected to rise from 500,000 to over 640,000. Israel has been accused of using starvation as a weapon of war to commit genocide against the Palestinian people in Gaza. On 21 November 2024, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former defence minister Yoav Gallant due to "reasonable grounds" that they bear criminal responsibility for "the war crime of starvation as a method of warfare". The United States "fundamentally reject[ed]" the ICC decision to issue the warrants. The genocide has been recognized by a United Nations special committee and commission of inquiry, Amnesty International, and other experts and human rights organisations. On 22 October 2025, the International Court of Justice found that Israel is obliged to guarantee sufficient food to Gazans and to allow UNRWA to operate in Gaza.

Infobox

Country

Palestine

Location

Gaza Strip

Total deaths

Estimate by Alex de Waal: 10,000 Confirmed: 440 as of 21 September 2025[a]

Causes

Gaza war and genocide (including war, humanitarian aid blockade, destruction of food and water infrastructure, looting, aid site killings)

Relief

Humanitarian aid

Consequences

The International Court of Justice orders Israel to increase aid to Gaza International Criminal Court arrest warrants for Israeli leaders for the use of starvation as a method of warfare. Projections for 16 August – 30 September 2025: Entire population (2.1 million) in IPC Phase 3 (Crisis) or above 1.14 million in IPC Phase 4 (Emergency) 641,000 people in IPC Phase 5 (catastrophic food insecurity) Confirmed famine in Gaza governorate

Tables

IPC analysis of hunger in the Gaza Strip · Emergency and threat of famine › Timeline › November–December 2023

Pop.

Time period

Pop.

Phase 5: "Catastrophe" or "Famine"

Pop.

Phase 4: "Emergency"

Pop.

Phase 3: "Crisis"

Pop.

Phase 1 or 2

24 Nov – 7 Dec 2023

Time period

24 Nov – 7 Dec 2023

Phase 5: "Catastrophe" or "Famine"

377,283

Phase 5: "Catastrophe" or "Famine"

17%

Phase 4: "Emergency"

938,547

Phase 4: "Emergency"

42%

Phase 3: "Crisis"

765,990

Phase 3: "Crisis"

34%

Phase 1 or 2

144,725

Phase 1 or 2

15 Feb – 15 Mar 2024

Time period

15 Feb – 15 Mar 2024

Phase 5: "Catastrophe" or "Famine"

676,636

Phase 5: "Catastrophe" or "Famine"

30%

Phase 4: "Emergency"

875,618

Phase 4: "Emergency"

39%

Phase 3: "Crisis"

577,963

Phase 3: "Crisis"

26%

Phase 1 or 2

96,327

Phase 1 or 2

1 May – 15 Jun 2024

Time period

1 May – 15 Jun 2024

Phase 5: "Catastrophe" or "Famine"

342,719

Phase 5: "Catastrophe" or "Famine"

15%

Phase 4: "Emergency"

642,864

Phase 4: "Emergency"

29%

Phase 3: "Crisis"

1,148,301

Phase 3: "Crisis"

51%

Phase 1 or 2

117,573

Phase 1 or 2

1 Sep – 31 Oct 2024

Time period

1 Sep – 31 Oct 2024

Phase 5: "Catastrophe" or "Famine"

132,987

Phase 5: "Catastrophe" or "Famine"

Phase 4: "Emergency"

663,721

Phase 4: "Emergency"

31%

Phase 3: "Crisis"

1,044,353

Phase 3: "Crisis"

49%

Phase 1 or 2

299,557

Phase 1 or 2

14%

1 Apr – 10 May 2025

Time period

1 Apr – 10 May 2025

Phase 5: "Catastrophe" or "Famine"

244,000

Phase 5: "Catastrophe" or "Famine"

12%

Phase 4: "Emergency"

925,000

Phase 4: "Emergency"

44%

Phase 3: "Crisis"

775,000

Phase 3: "Crisis"

37%

Phase 1 or 2

156,000

Phase 1 or 2

Time period	Phase 5: "Catastrophe" or "Famine"		Phase 4: "Emergency"		Phase 3: "Crisis"		Phase 1 or 2
Time period	Pop.	%	Pop.	%	Pop.	%	Pop.	%
24 Nov – 7 Dec 2023	377,283	17%	938,547	42%	765,990	34%	144,725	7%
15 Feb – 15 Mar 2024	676,636	30%	875,618	39%	577,963	26%	96,327	5%
1 May – 15 Jun 2024	342,719	15%	642,864	29%	1,148,301	51%	117,573	5%
1 Sep – 31 Oct 2024	132,987	6%	663,721	31%	1,044,353	49%	299,557	14%
1 Apr – 10 May 2025	244,000	12%	925,000	44%	775,000	37%	156,000	7%

Infobox

Tables

References