The United Nations has issued a stark warning about a worsening humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza, with senior officials calling the famine confirmed this week a "man-made disaster" requiring urgent global intervention.
Avoidable Catastrophe
UN humanitarian chief Tom Fletcher described Friday's Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) report as "irrefutable testimony" of preventable suffering. The analysis shows 640,000 Gazans – nearly a third of the population – could face catastrophic hunger by September, with 1.14 million more at emergency levels.
Political Firestorm
UN Secretary-General António Guterres, speaking from Japan's Expo 2025, condemned Israel's blockade as a "moral indictment," while UNRWA's Philippe Lazzarini accused Israel of deliberately restricting aid. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejected the findings as "an outright lie," claiming his government prevents starvation rather than causes it.
Human Toll Mounts
Gaza health authorities report 273 starvation-related deaths since hostilities began, including 112 children. The crisis intensified after Israel tightened its blockade following a collapsed March ceasefire with Hamas, severely limiting food and fuel deliveries.
International Repercussions
Dutch Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp resigned Friday after failing to gain cabinet support for tougher measures against Israel, highlighting growing diplomatic tensions over the crisis.
