New York (Web Desk): A growing humanitarian catastrophe in northern Gaza is pushing the region to the brink of famine, according to food security experts who issued a stark warning on Friday.
The alert, issued by the Integrated Phase Classification (IPC) Famine Review Committee (FRC), underscores the dire and rapidly worsening situation in Gaza, which remains under a severe Israeli siege.
The FRC emphasized the urgent need for immediate action—within days, not weeks—to prevent an even greater catastrophe.
“Immediate and decisive steps must be taken by all parties involved in the conflict, or those with the ability to influence its course, to avert this crisis,” the committee stated.
Cindy McCain, the head of the World Food Programme (WFP), responded to the warning, stating that the situation had reached a breaking point.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), McCain stressed that “the unacceptable is confirmed,” calling for immediate, unimpeded humanitarian access to the region. “Steps MUST BE TAKEN now to ensure the safe, rapid flow of humanitarian and commercial supplies to prevent a total disaster,” she wrote.
Jean-Martin Bauer, WFP’s Director of Food Security and Nutrition Analysis, elaborated on the situation, explaining that the acute food insecurity was driven by several factors, including large-scale displacement of civilians, severe restrictions on the flow of humanitarian aid, and the destruction of critical infrastructure.
“The number of trucks entering Gaza has drastically dropped,” Bauer explained. “In late October, only 58 trucks were entering daily, compared to 200 per day in the summer. Most of these trucks were carrying humanitarian aid, and many were unable to fully meet the demand.”
The blockade has also caused food prices in northern Gaza to skyrocket, with prices now 10 times higher than before the conflict began. “Food prices have doubled in recent weeks alone,” Bauer noted.
“This alert serves as a critical reminder that the eyes of the world must remain on Gaza, and that action is urgently needed.”
The FRC has called on all parties involved in the conflict, as well as external stakeholders with influence, to immediately allow the entry of food, water, medical supplies, and other essential goods into Gaza.
The committee also emphasized the importance of ending the siege, halting attacks on civilian infrastructure, and ensuring the safety of healthcare workers and facilities.
“Failure to act within the next few days will only worsen the already catastrophic situation, leading to further avoidable civilian deaths,” the FRC warned.
"If these calls for action go unanswered, the humanitarian crisis in Gaza will likely surpass anything seen since the conflict erupted on October 7, 2023."
The experts’ warning comes as the world watches closely, with increasing calls for the international community to step in and prevent what could become one of the worst humanitarian disasters in recent history.