Humanitarian organizations have raised alarms about the severe hunger crisis in Gaza, indicating that famine is imminent in parts of the region. Reports from the Hamas-run Gaza Ministry of Health reveal that 14 people died from hunger in a single day, bringing the total to 147 since October 7, 2023. Among these deaths, at least 88 were children. Disturbing images of malnourished children and long food lines have surfaced, highlighting the dire situation.

Despite these alarming conditions, no official famine declaration has been made, leading to political debates over the existence of famine in Gaza. Experts in food security argue that an official declaration may not significantly impact the situation. Alex de Waal, executive director of the World Peace Foundation, stated, "It's a very high bar and the nature of the process is that if the data aren't there, you say it's not a famine. It has no legal force. The word 'famine' has no meaning in law."

Scott Paul, director of peace and security at Oxfam America, emphasized the urgent need for increased food supplies in Gaza, which are currently restricted due to Israeli policies. He noted that water and sanitation improvements, along with nutritional support, are also critical. "If people are drinking unsafe water or living in unsanitary conditions, that's what creates breeding grounds for diseases, and those are the primary killers in a famine situation," Paul explained.

The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) is the primary tool used to assess food security and determine famine. The IPC categorizes food insecurity into five phases, with Phase 4 indicating an emergency and Phase 5 representing famine. Currently, Gaza is classified in Phase 4, with projections suggesting that half a million people could reach Phase 5 by September 2025.

The IPC has set specific criteria for declaring a famine: 20% of households must face extreme food shortages, 30% of children must be acutely malnourished, and either two adults or four children must die daily per 10,000 people. Even if these criteria are met, an independent review committee must confirm the findings before a formal declaration is made by an authoritative body, such as the United Nations.

The ongoing conflict in Gaza complicates the assessment of food security. Paul noted that Oxfam workers are operating under dangerous conditions, making it difficult to gather accurate data. "Our colleagues in Gaza right now, they are trying to work under bombardment with no guarantee of safety," he said. De Waal added that in a peaceful environment, it is easier to determine malnutrition rates, but in a war zone, obtaining reliable information is challenging.

Aid organizations continue to stress the need for increased humanitarian assistance to address the crisis. Paul remarked, "We're nowhere near where we need to be. These negotiations for a handful of trucks here or a couple of hours of a crossing there -- this is negotiating at the margins for people's lives."

Experts warn that simply increasing food supplies is not enough. Emily Byers, managing director of global development policy and advocacy at Save the Children, stated that once a famine is declared, reversing the damage becomes significantly harder. "Once you get to that determination, there is already so much damage done that it just becomes so much harder and such a deeper, deeper problem to deal with and come back from," she said.

As the situation in Gaza continues to deteriorate, humanitarian organizations are prepared to provide the necessary support to save lives, but they stress the importance of timely intervention.