(Reuters) -A global hunger monitor determined on Friday that famine is taking place in Gaza, nearly two years after Israel launched a military campaign in the tiny Palestinian territory in response to the Hamas attack of October 7, 2023.

Here is an explanation of what the monitor is, how it assesses a hunger crisis, when it identifies famine and how it collects data.

WHO IS CONFIRMING FAMINE?

The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) is an independent body funded by Western countries and widely recognised as the main global system for measuring the severity of hunger crises.

It was set up to sound the alarm so that famine and mass starvation could be prevented and to help organisations respond.

The IPC is overseen by 19 major humanitarian organisations and regional bodie

See Full Page