Fact Check: "Experts and human-rights workers say hunger is widespread in Gaza and that Palestinians are at risk of famine."
What We Know
Recent reports from food security experts and humanitarian organizations indicate that the situation in Gaza is dire, with widespread hunger and a significant risk of famine. According to the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC), nearly half a million Palestinians are facing "catastrophic" levels of hunger, while an additional one million are experiencing severe food insecurity. The IPC has classified the food situation in Gaza as critical, stating that "there is a high risk" of outright famine if the ongoing blockade and military operations do not cease (AP News).
The IPC's findings highlight that approximately 22% of Gaza's population is currently in a state of "catastrophic" hunger, which is defined by extreme lack of food and high levels of malnutrition (BBC). Furthermore, the United Nations has reported that around 93% of Gaza's population is living through high levels of acute food insecurity, with many households resorting to extreme measures to secure food (UN News).
Analysis
The claims regarding widespread hunger and the risk of famine in Gaza are supported by multiple credible sources, including the IPC and various humanitarian organizations. The IPC is a well-respected body that includes numerous UN agencies and NGOs, and its assessments are based on rigorous data collection and analysis. The reports indicate that the humanitarian crisis in Gaza has significantly worsened due to the ongoing conflict and blockade, which have severely restricted access to food, water, and medical supplies (AP News, BBC).
While the Israeli government has disputed these findings, arguing that the IPC has previously underestimated aid levels and that the blockade is necessary for security reasons, these claims lack substantial evidence and are often viewed with skepticism by humanitarian experts (AP News). Additionally, organizations like Human Rights Watch have characterized the use of starvation as a method of warfare, further underscoring the severity of the situation (HRW).
The reports also emphasize that the lack of a formal famine declaration does not negate the reality of starvation and extreme hunger being experienced by the population. Experts argue that the conditions in Gaza are already leading to severe malnutrition and health crises, which could escalate into famine if the current situation persists (AP News, BBC).
Conclusion
The claim that "experts and human-rights workers say hunger is widespread in Gaza and that Palestinians are at risk of famine" is True. The evidence from credible sources, including the IPC and humanitarian organizations, clearly indicates that a significant portion of the population in Gaza is facing extreme food insecurity and that the risk of famine is imminent if the blockade and military actions continue.
