By Human Rights Press Staff
May 16, 2025, 11:00 am ET
Gaza Strip — Acute hunger and deprivation are escalating in Gaza, where half a million people now face starvation and the entire population is confronting “high levels of acute food insecurity,” according to the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC).
In its latest assessment, the IPC warned that essential goods are nearly exhausted and that if Israel’s military operation and blockade continue, “there would be a critical lack of access to supplies and services that are essential to survival.”
Wheat flour now costs up to $520 for a 25-kilogram sack — a staggering 3,000% increase since February. UN Secretary-General António Guterres said he was “alarmed” by the findings, particularly the widespread hunger among children.
The World Food Programme (WFP) and UNICEF have reported a dramatic worsening of hunger since March 2, when aid was fully blocked. “If we wait until after a famine is confirmed, it will already be too late for many people,” warned WFP chief Cindy McCain.
Aid deliveries are plummeting. Only 260,000 hot meals were served across Gaza on Monday — down from 840,000 just five days earlier, marking a 70% drop. Community kitchens are running out of supplies, and UNRWA says it ran out of food over two weeks ago.
Meanwhile, Israeli bombardment continues. UN shelters have been repeatedly hit, including one in Gaza City on Saturday that reportedly killed two people. Another UNRWA facility in Jabalia was bombed a day earlier, killing four and completely destroying the agency’s local office and distribution center.
The IPC says 15% of people in Rafah, North Gaza, and Gaza governorates are now experiencing IPC Phase 5 — famine conditions. Most of the rest are barely surviving.
Humanitarian groups, including the IPC, have rejected Israel’s proposed plan to manage aid distribution, calling it “highly insufficient.” The blockade, military operations, and restricted access are “likely to create significant access barriers for large segments of the population,” IPC warned.
“Social order is breaking down,” the report added, noting that families are resorting to extreme measures, including selling garbage for food — and even that is running out.
The risk of full-scale famine in Gaza before the end of September remains high.
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