### Severe Malnutrition in Gaza Sparks Famine Concerns, Report Reveals

A dire hunger emergency has engulfed nearly all of Gaza, with the situation worsening particularly in the northern part of the region, according to a recent report. The findings were released by the United Nations-backed Integrated Food Security Phase Classification global initiative on Thursday.

The inhabitants of Gaza are facing such extreme levels of malnutrition that famine is a looming threat. The prolonged Israeli military offensive has exacerbated conditions, forcing residents into overcrowded makeshift camps, thereby increasing their vulnerability. The hunger crisis affects nearly all of Gaza's population of approximately 2.2 million people. The northern enclave has been hit hardest, where Israeli military operations have intensified this month, leading to substantial disruptions of humanitarian efforts.

The report emphasized the plight of children under the age of five in Gaza, many of whom are suffering from acute malnutrition. This alarming situation has been consistently monitored by the panel, which consists of various U.N. agencies and international relief organizations. Over the past year, their reports have underscored the increasing severity of the hunger crisis in Gaza.

In March, the panel projected that famine in Gaza was "imminent." Though there was a temporary improvement from May to August due to a surge in humanitarian aid, that progress has largely evaporated over the past two months. The full details of the report are expected to be released next week.

"Catastrophic acute food insecurity and concerning acute malnutrition levels will continue to prevail if the conflict persists and humanitarian efforts remain restricted," the report warned. The Israeli evacuation orders in large parts of north Gaza have severely disrupted humanitarian operations, further deepening the crisis.

Repeated displacements have steadily eroded the ability of the people to access essential resources such as food, water, and medicine. The report highlighted how these displacements have significantly increased the vulnerability of the entire community.