UNITED NATIONS - The United Nations has warned that widespread famine in the Gaza Strip is “almost inevitable” without action. A formal conclusion that famine has arrived in the coastal enclave of 2.3 million people could come next week.

What is a famine, and who declares one?

A famine is assessed by the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC). It is an initiative made up of more than a dozen UN agencies, regional bodies and aid groups.

For famine to be declared, at least 20 per cent of the population must be suffering extreme food shortages, with one in three children acutely malnourished, and two people out of every 10,000 dying daily from starvation or from malnutrition and disease.

Famine has been declared twice in the past 13 years: in Somalia in 2011 and in parts of South Sudan in 2017.

What is the current assessment in Gaza?

In late December, the IPC said the situation in Gaza had already exceeded the 20 per cent threshold.

It said the remaining two thresholds – the number of children acutely malnourished, and the number of people dying daily from starvation or from malnutrition and disease – “may also be breached at some point” in the coming months.

“There is a risk of famine in the projection period through May 2024 if the current situation persists or worsens,” it said.

The UN said in February that more than a quarter of Gaza’s 2.3 million people were “estimated to be facing catastrophic levels of deprivation and starvation”. It said that without action, widespread famine could be “almost inevitable”.

The IPC is due to release a new analysis of the situation in Gaza by mid-March.

What does it mean to declare a famine?

While a declaration of famine does not trigger any formal response, it can help focus global attention on how to help. But as the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs has said: “Once a famine is declared, it is too late for too many people.”

Who is responsible for the welfare of Gaza?

The UN views Israel as the occupying power in Gaza and says the Israeli military has a responsibility to facilitate humanitarian operations within the enclave.

Under the 1949 Geneva Conventions on the laws of war: “To the fullest extent of the means available to it, the occupying power has the duty of ensuring the food and medical supplies of the population.”

What does Israel say?

Israel captured the West Bank, Gaza and East Jerusalem in a 1967 war. These are areas of historic Palestine which the Palestinians want for a state. Israel withdrew from Gaza in 2005, and Hamas won elections in 2006. But Israel, along with neighbouring Egypt, still controls the borders of the enclave.

Israeli leaders have long argued that Gaza and the West Bank are not formally occupied, on the basis that they were captured from Jordan and Egypt during the 1967 war rather than from a sovereign Palestine. Israel also stresses the Jewish people’s historical and Biblical ties to the land.

Why is the humanitarian situation in Gaza so dire?

The war in Gaza began when Hamas fighters attacked Israel on Oct 7, killing around 1,200 people and seizing 253 hostages, according to Israeli tallies. Israel retaliated by initially imposing a “total siege” on Gaza, and launching an air and ground assault that has since killed around 30,000 Palestinians, health authorities in the Hamas-run enclave say.

Aid can currently be delivered into southern Gaza via the Rafah crossing from Egypt and Kerem Shalom crossing from Israel.

The UN Palestinian refugee agency UNRWA has said that in February, an average of nearly 97 trucks were able to enter Gaza each day, compared with about 150 trucks a day in January – well below a target of 500 trucks a day.

The UN has described aid access as “unpredictable and insufficient”, blaming military operations, insecurity and extensive restrictions to delivery of essential supplies.

Specifically, the UN cites border crossing closures, serious movement restrictions, access denials, onerous vetting procedures, security risks, incidents by desperate civilians, a breakdown of law and order, and restrictions on communications and protective equipment.

Israel has said it is committed to improving the humanitarian situation in Gaza and that there is no limit on aid for civilians. It has blamed the UN for any delivery issues, saying limitations on the quantity and pace of aid are dependent on the capacity of the UN and other agencies. REUTERS