NOV 09, V7N-The Famine Review Committee (FRC) has issued a severe warning about imminent famine in northern Gaza due to extreme food scarcity and malnutrition among civilians amidst Israel’s military actions against Hamas. The FRC’s alert highlights the urgent need for intervention within days to prevent widespread starvation and excess mortality. According to the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, tens of thousands of people remain in northern Gaza, with aid flow into Gaza significantly reduced.

The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC), a global standard, defines famine as an extreme food shortage affecting over 20% of a population, with at least 30% of children acutely malnourished and a daily death rate from starvation or related causes exceeding two per 10,000 people. The FRC's findings align with previous IPC warnings that the entire Gaza region is at risk of famine, with U.N. officials describing northern Gaza as “apocalyptic” and at high risk for famine, disease, and violence.

Despite Israel’s statements about allowing aid, U.N. data shows a drastic reduction in the number of aid trucks entering Gaza. The daily average of aid trucks was about 58 in late October, down from around 200 per day in previous months. Israel and Hamas have exchanged accusations over the use and distribution of aid in Gaza, with Israel claiming Hamas diverts aid and Hamas blaming Israel for blocking deliveries.

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