The United Nations has issued a stark warning to the world: the crisis in Gaza is now an official famine, putting over 500,000 people at immediate risk of starvation.

During a briefing in Geneva, UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Tom Fletcher called the situation "the world's famine," describing it as preventable and a result of "cruelty" and "indifference." He issued a direct and urgent plea to the Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, demanding an immediate ceasefire, the opening of all crossings to allow massive amounts of food and aid to enter, and an end to the conflict.

The report classifies the situation in Gaza City as "Phase 5," the highest level on the food insecurity scale. In response, Israel has rejected the report's findings, claiming there is no famine in Gaza and accusing the IPC of being biased and basing its conclusions on "Hamas lies," a charge the organization denies, Viory reported.