Gaza food crisis eases but situation remains critical–IPC

(MENAFN) Recent assessments indicate that the immediate threat of famine in the Gaza Strip has been temporarily reduced following a slowdown in fighting and improved access for food deliveries, both humanitarian and commercial. However, the broader humanitarian outlook remains deeply alarming, according to newly released findings.

Data covering the period from Oct. 16 to Nov. 30, 2025, shows that roughly 1.6 million people—about 77% of the population examined—endured serious levels of acute food insecurity categorized as Crisis or worse. This group included more than 500,000 individuals facing Emergency conditions and over 100,000 people living under Catastrophe-level hunger, the most extreme classification, as stated by reports.

Although recent developments linked to a fragile ceasefire, including proposals aimed at advancing peace and increased food inflows, have helped prevent the most devastating outcomes, the analysis cautioned that the situation remains extremely unstable.

Looking ahead, projections for the period between Dec. 1, 2025, and April 15, 2026, suggest that around 1.6 million people will continue to experience "Crisis or worse" food insecurity. Within this group, an estimated 571,000 individuals are expected to remain in Emergency conditions, while approximately 1,900 people may still face Catastrophe levels—indicating some improvement at the most severe end but far from a sustainable recovery.

The assessment also issued a stark warning: "Under a worst-case scenario, which would include renewed hostilities and a halt in humanitarian and commercial inflows, the entire Gaza Strip is at risk of Famine through mid-April 2026."

Nutritional indicators have shown limited improvement compared to earlier analyses, yet they remain cause for serious concern. Nearly 101,000 children between six and 59 months of age are projected to suffer from acute malnutrition across Gaza through mid-October 2026, including more than 31,000 severe cases. During the same timeframe, around 37,000 pregnant and breastfeeding women are also expected to experience acute malnutrition and require medical intervention, according to reports.

The findings emphasized that continued humanitarian access, along with sustained stability on the ground, is critical to preventing a renewed descent into famine conditions and further loss of life.

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