As malnutrition deaths are reported and hunger grows, will 'famine' be declared in Gaza?

After months of aid agencies' warnings that Palestinians in the Gaza Strip were at high risk of famine, many worry it is now taking hold in the northern part of the enclave where children have begun to die of malnutrition and dehydration.

After months of aid agencies' warnings that Palestinians in the Gaza Strip were at high risk of famine, many worry it is now taking hold in the northern part of the enclave where children have begun to die of malnutrition and dehydration.

The Gaza Health Ministry said Wednesday that at least 20 people have died of malnutrition at hospitals and warned that it believes "dozens are dying silently" unable to reach medical facilities. The World Health Organization visited northern Gaza over the weekend and confirmed at least 10 child starvation deaths at the time of the team's visit.

Israeli officials have repeatedly said they are committed to humanitarian assistance for civilians and have not placed any limits on aid entering the Palestinian enclave.

A famine has not yet been declared in Gaza, but the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification initiative, or IPC, has activated its famine review committee to assess the situation.

While hunger is a long-standing issue around the world, a declaration of famine is relatively rare.

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/famine-gaza-hunger-israel-hamas-war-rcna141891

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