Famine in northern Gaza ‘occurring or imminent’, warn experts

UN Security Council on Tuesday received warnings from experts about famine being “occurring or imminent” in northern Gaza regions.
Israeli forces have maintained a siege in the north for approximately one month, ordering evacuations whilst attempting to encircle Hamas fighters allegedly present in the area.
During Tuesday’s session, US ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield cited a November 8 alert from the UN-backed integrated phase classification (IPC) famine review committee, highlighting the rapidly deteriorating humanitarian situation in the strip.
“The IPC’s latest report on the prospect of imminent famine underscores the urgency of the situation. And it makes clear that such a surge [of humanitarian aid] is critical,” she said.
She further emphasised that Israel must not implement forcible displacement or starvation policies in Gaza, noting potential consequences under US and international law.
The IPC alert referenced previous analysis indicating 133,000 Gazans faced catastrophic food insecurity, with famine risk present across the strip between November 2024 and April 2025.
“Immediate action, within days not weeks, is required from all actors who are directly taking part in the conflict, or who have influence on its conduct, to avert and alleviate this catastrophic situation,” the alert said.
UN world food programme executive director Cindy McCain responded on X, saying “the unacceptable is confirmed.” She demanded “Immediate steps MUST BE TAKEN to allow safe, rapid and unimpeded flow of humanitarian and commercial supplies to prevent an all-out catastrophe. NOW.”
Israel’s UN ambassador Danny Danon dismissed the famine warning as “simply false” on Tuesday, outlining Israeli efforts to improve Gaza’s humanitarian situation.
The Israeli government denies malnutrition conditions in Gaza, stating its cooperation with international organisations for aid delivery across the border.
COGAT reported 117 humanitarian aid trucks entered Gaza on Tuesday, including 32 to northern Gaza, plus a fuel tanker for essential infrastructure.
Despite COGAT’s claims, the UN reports the lowest aid delivery levels in the past month since the conflict began.
US secretary of state Antony Blinken addressed Israel’s progress on the Biden administration’s 30-day deadline for increased aid delivery to Gaza by November 12.
Blinken confirmed Israel’s implementation or progress on 12 of 15 requested steps, whilst international aid agencies report no significant changes in safe passage conditions.
Since Hamas’s October 7 attack and Israel’s subsequent war declaration, the Hamas-run Gaza Ministry of Health reports 43,712 Palestinian casualties and 103,258 injuries. Israeli officials confirm 1,700 Israeli deaths and approximately 8,700 injuries.