Gaza: The United Nations officially declared famine in Gaza on Friday, marking the first declaration of its kind in the Middle East. UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Tom Fletcher emphasized that the famine in Gaza could have been avoided if the UN had not been restricted from delivering food aid.

According to National Iraqi News Agency, Fletcher stated during a media briefing in Geneva that food aid has been obstructed at the border by Israeli actions. He termed the situation a “moment of collective shame” and highlighted that the famine in Gaza should be a concern for everyone. The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights attributed the famine directly to the Israeli government’s actions and suggested that deaths from starvation in Gaza might constitute the war crime of willful killing.

UN experts have reported that 500,000 people are facing severe famine conditions. The Food Security Phase Classification confirmed that Gaza City, which constitutes about 20% of the Gaza Strip, is experiencing famine. UN Secretary-General Ant³nio Guterres called the situation a “man-made catastrophe” and stated the necessity of addressing it without impunity.

The UN has condemned the use of starvation as a military strategy, labeling it a war crime. The UN Emergency Relief Coordinator urged Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to cease fire and allow humanitarian aid into Gaza. Efforts are being made to convince the Trump administration of the importance of UN operations in ending the famine.

Guterres described the famine as a new level of suffering for Gaza, emphasizing that it results from systemic failures and deliberate actions. He insisted on immediate action, including a ceasefire and unrestricted humanitarian access, to prevent further human catastrophe.