A UN classification system used to determine access to food has officially declared famine in Gaza, saying more than half a million Palestinians is facing catastrophic famine conditions, which include starvation, destitution and death.
At least 37 people have been killed in Israeli attacks on Gaza City on Friday, where the most intense bombardments are taking place, medical sources said.
Two Palestinians have starved to death in Gaza in the past 24 hours, which also saw 71 people killed in Israeli attacks across the enclave, according to the territory’s Health Ministry.
Israel’s Foreign Ministry has rejected the findings, saying there is no famine in Gaza and the findings are based on “Hamas lies”.
Israel’s intensified assault on Gaza City has forced Palestinians once again to flee in search of safety while causing destruction and “carnage” across the city, Doctors Without Borders (also known as MSF) is warning.
Amande Bazerolle, the head of MSF’s emergency response in Gaza, said the group’s clinics in the area have seen large numbers of patients as people leave bombarded neighbourhoods, including Zeitoun.
“All this is happening while famine in Gaza City has been declared by the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC). You couldn’t imagine something more cynical: people being starved as the Israeli forces invade and destroy any life that remains,” Bazerolle said in a statement.
“This will lead to a complete and utter humanitarian disaster. As the Israeli forces accelerate their campaign of genocide and ethnic cleansing by expanding their military ground invasion into Gaza City, Palestinians trapped there face starvation, disease, and death.”
