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Was there famine in Gaza, and who is responsible?
In brief
The UN-backed food security monitor declared famine in part of Gaza in August 2025, and said in December 2025 that no area remained in famine after the October ceasefire. Israel disputes the finding and blames Hamas for diverting aid. The key facts are the dates of closure and reopening of crossings.
What is claimed
- UN agencies and aid groups say that Israel's restrictions on food and aid caused severe hunger and in places famine.
- The ICC warrants allege starvation as a method of warfare.
What the record shows
- Israel closed the crossings to goods in early March 2025 and the restriction lasted for about eleven weeks.
- On 22 August 2025 the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) confirmed famine in Gaza Governorate, affecting about 514,000 people.
- After the 10 October 2025 ceasefire improved access, the IPC said on 19 December 2025 that no area was classified as famine. It warned that conditions remained fragile and that renewed fighting could bring the risk back.
- In 2025 a new aid mechanism backed by the United States and Israel, the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, began operating and drew criticism from the UN and aid groups.
The case and the answers
The strongest case against
- Israel controls the crossings, so restrictions on entry are the main cause of shortages.
- Shooting incidents near aid sites and delays at crossings show that the system failed civilians.
The best answers
- Hamas stole and taxed aid and Israel allowed in large volumes of food, which the Israeli agency COGAT counts and publishes.
- The IPC relied on data from sources Israel says were incomplete or came from Hamas-run sources, and Israel rejected the famine finding.
- The closure in March 2025 was meant to pressure Hamas to free hostages after the first ceasefire ended.
Key dates
- 2 Mar 2025 Israel halts goods entering Gaza.
- May 2025 Partial reopening and launch of the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation.
- 22 Aug 2025 IPC confirms famine in Gaza Governorate.
- 10 Oct 2025 Ceasefire begins.
- 19 Dec 2025 IPC says no area is in famine.
Who addresses this
Profiles with articles, videos and podcasts. Open a profile for the full list.
- Eylon LevyFormer government spokesperson
- Jonathan ConricusFormer IDF spokesperson
- Natasha HausdorffLaw of armed conflict
- Nadav ShoshaniIDF international spokesperson
Direct sources and further study
- IPC: Gaza analysesPrimary source for the famine classifications
- COGATIsraeli defense body that coordinates aid and publishes truck counts
- UN OCHA: Humanitarian situation updates for GazaUN reports on aid access
- Wikipedia: Gaza famineNeutral overview with sources
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Links to outside sources are provided for study and do not imply endorsement. Figures and rulings are described as of the date shown.