The British foreign secretary has denounced the “utterly horrifying” and “wholly preventable” famine in Gaza, saying Israel’s refusal to allow sufficient aid has caused this “man-made catastrophe”.
In a statement last Thursday, David Lammy reiterated his criticism over the humanitarian situation in Gaza after the UN-backed Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) report declared famine in the Gaza Governorate.
“The Israeli government’s refusal to allow sufficient aid into Gaza has caused this man-made catastrophe. This is a moral outrage,” he said.
“The Government of Israel can and must immediately act to stop the situation from deteriorating any further,” Lammy said and urged Israel to immediately and sustainably allow unhindered food, medical supplies, fuel, and all types of aid to reach those who so desperately need them.
Recalling his call for an immediate ceasefire, the foreign secretary said Israel’s military operation in Gaza City is the epicentre of the famine.
“The UK reiterates its condemnation of this military action, which will only worsen the already catastrophic humanitarian situation and endanger the lives of the hostages held by Hamas,” said Lammy.
He urged Israel to change course and halt its plans to occupy Gaza City.
Famine declared in Gaza City
A famine has officially been confirmed in Gaza City and the surrounding neighbourhoods by the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC).
The UN-backed, globally recognised system for classifying food insecurity and malnutrition has declared just four other famines since it was established in 2004.
This announcement is the IPC’s first outside of Africa. Gaza City is home to around half a million people.
Prior famines were confirmed in Somalia in 2011, South Sudan in 2017 and 2020 and in Sudan in 2024.
Deaths from malnutrition and starvation are spiking, according to figures from Gaza’s Health Ministry, verified by the World Health Organisation.
In just the first 20 days of August, there were 133 deaths attributed to malnutrition or starvation, including 25 children, the ministry said.
There were almost 13,000 new admissions of children for acute malnutrition recorded in July, according to the latest from the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.
Amnesty International: ‘With every hour that passes, Gaza City edges closer to annihilation’
Amnesty International has warned Gaza City is edging closer to “complete annihilation.”
Responding to the famine report from the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC), the group’s senior director for research, advocacy, policy and campaigns Erika Guevara Rosas said: Last week’s official declaration of famine is a devastating confirmation of what humanitarian and human rights organisations, including Amnesty International, have been warning of for months.”
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