The Gaza Strip has managed to avoid, for the moment, widespread famine, but the humanitarian situation remains critical and extremely fragile. The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) warned that 77% of the population faces acute food insecurity and that nearly 101,000 children between six months and five years old could suffer from acute malnutrition by October 2026 if aid inflows are not maintained and expanded. Given this situation, the United Nations reiterated its call for Israel to lift restrictions on humanitarian access. According to the most recent report by UN-backed experts, the ceasefire in effect since October has allowed for some improvements in food availability and in some nutritional indicators. However, these improvements have not been sufficient to reverse the severity of the crisis. Last month, around 100,000 people were still living in conditions described as “catastrophic.” In August, the Integrated Food Security Classification (IPC) warned that half a million people, nearly a quarter of Gaza's population, were living in famine-affected areas. Since the fragile ceasefire came into effect, humanitarian aid has increased, but remains insufficient. According to the report, current supplies “only cover basic survival needs.” Although no area of ??Gaza is currently officially classified as famine-stricken, the UN stresses that the situation depends on sustained, expanded, and consistent humanitarian and commercial access. In a worst-case scenario, including a resumption of hostilities or a suspension of aid inflows, the entire Gaza Strip could be at risk of famine until mid-April 2026. “The worst-case scenario underscores the severity and continuity of this humanitarian crisis,” the document warns. Philippe Lazzarini, commissioner-general of the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees, was emphatic: “To put an end to this catastrophe,Large-scale supply inflows must be allowed, and humanitarian workers must be allowed to do their job.” Similarly, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned that “needs are growing faster than aid is arriving.”

The CPI measures two main parameters: food insecurity and malnutrition. Food insecurity is defined as the lack of regular access to sufficient food to lead a healthy life. CPI Phase 5 represents the most extreme level, considered “famine” when it affects an area and “catastrophe” when it refers to households. Between October and November, around 1.6 million people, 77% of the population analyzed, faced high levels of acute food insecurity (Phase 3 or higher). Of these, more than half a million were in Emergency (Phase 4) and 104,000 in Catastrophe (Phase 5).

For the projected period between December 2025 and April 2026 By 2026, the situation is expected to remain dire, with approximately 1.6 million people still in crisis or worse. While a reduction in the most extreme cases is anticipated, some 571,000 people will remain in Emergency and nearly 1,900 in Catastrophe. Key factors driving this situation include restrictions on humanitarian access, the displacement of over 730,000 people, and the destruction of livelihoods. More than 96% of Gaza's agricultural land has been destroyed or is inaccessible.000 people and the destruction of livelihoods. More than 96% of Gaza's agricultural land has been destroyed or is inaccessible.