Israel Experts: High risk of famine in Gaza despite increase in aid

Despite the increase in aid deliveries to the north of the Gaza Strip, there is still a high risk of famine in the sealed-off coastal region, according to internationally recognized experts. Although more food has been delivered in recent months, the situation is still catastrophic and the risk of famine in the coming weeks or months is acute, according to a new report published on Tuesday by the so-called IPC Initiative for the Analysis of Food Crises.

In their last report in March, the experts predicted that a famine would occur in the north of the Gaza Strip between mid-March and May. Since then, however, there have been a number of important developments, according to the latest report. "In this context, the available data does not indicate that a famine is currently underway," the experts said. However, the risk remains at least as high as in recent months due to the ongoing fighting in the area.

The so-called Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) is used by the UN. The initiative consists of various UN organizations and aid groups. It uses a multi-level system to assess how many people are affected by hunger and to what extent. The highest level, 5, is described as "famine-like conditions". According to the experts, this level currently applies to more than 495,000 people (22 percent of the population) in the Gaza Strip.