Despite improvements in food supplies to Gaza following the recent ceasefire, over 100,000 people continue to face catastrophic levels of hunger, according to a new report by UN-backed experts.

The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) revealed that while the situation has eased since August – when half a million Gazans, a quarter of the population, were experiencing famine – significant challenges remain. The report indicates that as of last month, over 100,000 individuals were still classified under IPC Phase 5, representing the most severe level of food insecurity.

The UN and humanitarian organizations have successfully increased the volume of food aid reaching Gaza since the October ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. However, the IPC warns that the situation is “highly fragile” and could deteriorate rapidly.

Israel’s Foreign Ministry has strongly contested the IPC’s findings, labelling the report as “deliberately distorted” and claiming it does not accurately reflect the conditions on the ground. “The report doesn’t reflect the reality in the Gaza Strip,” a ministry spokesperson stated.

The latest analysis shows no areas in Gaza are currently classified as being in famine, but acute malnutrition remains a critical concern, particularly in Gaza City, as well as serious levels in Deir al-Balah and Khan Younis. The IPC projects that the number of people facing catastrophic conditions will decrease to 1,900 by April, but this is contingent on sustained aid access.

Cogat, the Israeli military body responsible for managing crossings into Gaza, asserted that the amount of food aid entering the territory has exceeded UN requirements. “The report relies on severe gaps in data collection and on sources that do not reflect the full scope of humanitarian assistance,” Cogat said in a statement.

The IPC defended its methodology, stating it utilized publicly available data from both UN sources and Cogat.

The report identifies restricted humanitarian access, the displacement of over 730,000 people, and the widespread destruction of livelihoods – including damage to over 96% of Gaza’s farmland – as key drivers of food insecurity. Israel had imposed a total blockade on aid deliveries in March, which was partially lifted in May in an effort to secure the release of hostages held by Hamas.

UNRWA, the United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees, acknowledged the improvement but emphasized the ongoing severity of the crisis. “Overall living conditions in the Gaza Strip are still catastrophic, made worse by the winter weather,” UNRWA stated, calling for “sustained, expanded, and consistent humanitarian and commercial access.”

Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu indicated that the second phase of the US-brokered peace plan, involving Israeli troop withdrawals and Hamas disarmament, is nearing, though key issues remain unresolved.

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