Public opinion on the famine in Gaza is deeply polarized, reflecting skepticism towards the credibility of reported famine due to perceived political motives and inadequate reporting. While many commenters express sympathy for the suffering civilians, frustrations are directed at both Hamas and Israel, with calls for accountability. A prevalent sentiment includes distress over the humanitarian crisis, coupled with disbelief and demands for action from world leaders. This leads to significant criticism of organizations like the UN, perceived biases, and distrust regarding the situation's portrayal.

Hamas

Israel

United Nations

International Community

For context, a “famine” has a strict UN definition: when more than 20% of households face extreme food shortages, acute malnutrition exceeds 30%, and mortality rates skyrocket. Declaring famine means the situation has gone far beyond scarcity into systemic collapse.

It’s catastrophic optics for anyone involved. Using starvation as leverage, whether by blockade or mismanagement, is a war crime. But beyond the politics and blame games, what it really means is that ordinary people and vulnerable people; kids, parents, grandparents are dying not because of bombs but because they can’t find food.

At the end of the day, famine is not an argument about borders or ideologies, it’s a measure of how far we’ve failed as a species to safeguard the most basic human need. 
That’s the part I can’t lose sight of.

Flaky-Impact-2428

&gt; 'For humanity's sake - let us in' - UN chief's desperate plea to Netanyahu

I reckon I can guess his answer.

Xilthas

Serious question: Why is there a famine in Gaza city, but not in other cities, like Khan Yunis?

SteakHausMann

There are so many comments that seem to be minimising or dismissing this. I don’t understand why. This is really sad news.

malgnaynis

PipelineShrimp

I like how everyone’s being pretentious and digging into the various definitions of “famine” from various organizations, all from the comfort of their homes full of food while the actual Gazans living there are actually starving and scraping for food.

All this sealioning just makes peoples evil intentions all the more obvious. It is truly morbid that some people would rather watch others starve to death.

MrStoccato

one day, everyone will have always been against this 

game_jawns_inc

&gt; A famine is classified when an area has the following: 

&gt; Daily mortality rate exceeds two per 10,000 people, or four per 10,000 children under five.

In Gaza, with a population of 2 million, that would be 400 people a day. Which is more than the total dead from malnutrition over 2 years let alone daily.

Anyone know where they pulled their data from? From the same article

&gt; Deaths from malnutrition and starvation are spiking, according to figures from Gaza's Health Ministry, verified by the World Health Organisation.

&gt; In just the first 20 days of August, there were 133 deaths attributed to malnutrition or starvation, including 25 children, the ministry said.

&gt; This is up from 89 deaths in the first 22 months of the conflict.

Bandlebridge

Can't wait for the usual people to show up and claim that the source is compromised and there is nothing wrong going on. You know who they are.

UltimateShingo

Let’s keep in mind this was completely caused by government policy to cause famine and death.  This was the intended outcome.  That was the plan.

dbx999

How many times can the same thing be declared these two years?

Sqirch

[deleted]

Its easy to say Israel is bad when you read headlines this provocative. However the WSJ did an article about why aid isn’t getting to the most vulnerable citizens and the reason is essentially logistics.

Trucks that enter are quickly looted within the first couple miles of their trip. Both by desperate civilians and also criminals. In order to penetrate deeper into the country they would need cooperation from Hamas to assist in getting the food to where it needs to go. However, Hamas is certainly not doing this. They want people reliant on them so they take everything.

Furthermore, the UN is failing to distribute the food that isn’t allowed in for those reasons. In a lot of cases, it’s too dangerous for the staff to penetrate further.

The world food program says “95% of its trucks entering the cause of strip are looted before they reach their destination.”

Airdrops are also happening, but nowhere near the amount that is needed as it’s not feasible to feed an entire population from the air without extra extraordinary expense. 

What needs to happen?

There has to be so much food and aid that enters the country at a certain point as to devalue the scarcity.

thereitis900

So areas that Israel controls do not have a famine? 

Then everyone is supporting Israel in going in, taking out the terrorists running Gaza City and establishing GHF food distribution spots to help the people in Gaza City get food, right? Right?

Cause either Hamas is stealing the food or if there really isn't enough food, preventing people from evacuating to locations which are not short on food. (because if people are starving to death, they are not gonna stay away from places they know to have food, unless someone prevents them from going there.)

shady8x

I am seeing so many headlines saying "Famine has struck" "Famine in Gaza"

Still more passive language. The inanimate concept of famine has not come in and done this, it is not a natural disaster or an act of God. It's not climate or a poor harvest or anything like that. It is man-made and caused directly by Israel. 

Famine hasn't struck, Israel has struck while using starvation as a weapon. 

The world has been trying to send food and Israel is blocking it. THERE IS NO FOOD SHORTAGE.... the food is there. 

How can you call it a famine when the food is right there? The only reason why people are starving is because they are not being allowed access to the food.

This should not be called a famine at all. It is intentional starvation.

the_sneaky_one123

If the famine is specifically in Gaza city why don't the people evacuate to the south where food is more plentiful? Why civilians are not allowed to flee the combat zone?

RottingMandarine

Are we really shocked at this point? It’s been pretty clear for a while that there was a famine or things were at least heading that way

Eggsegret

So in the area where Israel doesn't control? And is about to control? 

Is everyone going to support Israel's occupation of Gaza City, then?

DanIvvy

I don’t know what to trust anymore. The UN told us 14,000 babies could die in Gaza in next 48 hours under Israeli aid blockade. In May.

They also told us starvation was imcoming 1.5 years ago.

All kids used to portray famine in pictures turned out to have cerebral palsy or other birth defects. 

It’s like crying wolf. Don’t know if it real or not. The UN has lost credibility to the point where what they say can’t be trusted.

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/may/20/first-thing-un-says-14000-babies-could-die-in-gaza-in-next-48-hours-under-israeli-aid-blockade

Shadowblade83

What is Hamas, the elected and official government of Gaza City, going to do to provide food for the people of Gaza? 

It's like blaming Burkina Faso for a famine in North Korea. At some point the government representing the people that are experiencing a famine needs to put up or shut up.

jewboy916

Silver_Branch3034

Yes. This was the Israeli plan then entire time. 

ikilledtupac

Israel is allowing lots of food into Gaza.

[More than 132 million meals distributed to date](https://ghf.org/ghf-operational-update-thursday-august-21-2025/)

[IDF says some 400 trucks of aid entered Gaza along with fuel tankers yesterday](https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/idf-says-some-400-trucks-of-aid-entered-gaza-along-with-fuel-tankers-yesterday/)

[100,000 Aid Trucks and Counting: An Israeli Military Official Details Expansive Israeli Humanitarian Operation in Gaza](https://themedialine.org/top-stories/100000-aid-trucks-and-counting-an-israeli-military-official-details-expansive-israeli-humanitarian-operation-in-gaza/)

[6 countries carry out Gaza aid airdrops](https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/6-countries-carry-out-gaza-aid-airdrops/)

Much of that food is stolen by Hamas, PIJ and other terrorist groups, except what is distributed by the GHF which is protected from terrorists.

[UN reveals 86% of aid sent to Gaza is stolen before it can reach those most in need](https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/un-reveals-86-of-aid-sent-to-gaza-is-stolen-before-it-can-reach-those-most-in-need/ar-AA1JUyAw)

Israel allows food in.  Hamas steals it.  Therefore, Hamas is responsible for any starvation.  Why wasn't a famine declared in the rest of Gaza?  Because Hamas doesn't control that territory anymore and can't steal from there.  It still controls Gaza city and can still steal food there.  That's why starvation is in Gaza city and not in the rest of Gaza.  It's because Hamas is responsible according to the evidence I posted.  Anyone who wants to stop Gaza from starving should be in favor of removing Hamas from power so they can't steal food anymore.

[Hamas terrorists seen feasting underground as Gazans starve above](https://www.ynetnews.com/article/sk1kyrrlge)

Vaaaaaaaape

Israel declares plan to take over Gaza city, News outlets immediately declares famine now in Gaza city... Hmm

lbc514

Wow. Apparently the UN believes the Famine has hit the exact two geographical areas that Israel is about to start operations in and where Israel believe Hamas is keeping the hostages. And not a day before the operation begins. That’s a wild coincidence.

Chillmm8

Hamas should probably surrender and release the hostages…

mikehocalate

Just to be clear.. A famine is not resolved by opening borders to let in all the food you can possibly imagine. You need doctors and crazy amounts of personnel trained in managing food and medicine to combat it.. Fuck this timeline..

Throwadudeson

It’s a PR machine, anytime Israel makes a big move in Gaza against Hamas, the UN propaganda machine goes into effect…what is the UN hiding in Gaza (besides aid)? 

Here is some critical thinking, the UN prefers the people of Gaza to suffer under Hamas so they can continue to line their pockets, they love the money!!!

TheJacques

Good to know. I will recommend my country not start a war with their neighbours or kidnap innocents to torture while expecting no retaliation. 

rjksn

Why does this article leave out the amount of aid given and also mention that Hamas can just release the hostages to end the war?

hinaultpunch

Netanyahu is still getting invited on Sky News Australia to say he's "saving the Western world from the crocodiles". 

OdielSax

When you are intentionally keeping food from people, it isn’t famine. This is plain genocide.

hellno_ahole

Yet Israel will deny it. 

We are giving them food! They just refuse to eat it!

CloseDaLight

currently__working

Any country that backs Israel needs to be ashamed

TOdEsi

&gt;A UN-backed organisation has confirmed famine in Gaza, with more than 500,000 people facing "catastrophic conditions characterised by starvation, destitution and death".

&gt;After months of warning of the deteriorating humanitarian situation, the Rome-based Integrated Food Security Phase Classification said famine was now confirmed in the Gaza Governorate - Gaza City - which covers about 20% of Gaza.

&gt;A report by IPC, the main global hunger monitor working with the UN and other aid agencies, said that conditions are expected to further worsen with famine projected to expand to Deir al-Balah and Khan Younis.

&gt;The famine in Gaza should "haunt us all" and was entirely preventable had United Nations not been systematically prevented from bringing in food, the UN aid chief said.

&gt;"It is a famine that we could have prevented if we had been allowed. Yet food stacks up at borders because of systematic obstruction by Israel," Tom Fletcher told reporters in Geneva, calling it "a famine that will and must haunt us all".

To the surprise of no one (including Israel, who is denying it).

CupidStunt13

Almost every famine of the past 200 years has been man-made. 

Anyone who denies this is a genocide, even if you claim to be against Netanyahu and the Israeli regime, should be ashamed of themselves

tameoraiste

Anyone still supporting Israel is also directly supporting this famine and genocide.

Whooptidooh

All these organizations saying “yep, it’s a genocide” “yep, those are war crimes”… DO SOMETHING TO STOP THIS.

Liskrig

Trump is funding this with millions of US taxpayer money, and asking for a Nobel Peace Prize? Trump's hands are soaked in the blood of a genocide.

erebus49

Genocide. Famine is the result of genocide.

Tolvat

&gt; Famine 




Did you mean: *genocide*  ?

buenonocheseniorgato

We are a pathetic species really to allow this to occ6

Maro1947

But Netanyahu says the western world is lying

Crazyripps

First in middle east, by the only "democracy" in middle east.

Gaijinrr

Who are more hated in the world right now israelis who let netanyahu be in charge or maga tossers for voting in trump.   My guess is israelis are more hated

huntsab2090

Info: What are the Israeli arguments on this? 

Reddit is almost 100% pro Gaza, so wondering what is the other side saying?

Winter_Apartment_376

So... maybe stop starving them for propaganda?

Apprehensive-Foot-73

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AutoModerator

Quite convenient right when the attack in Gaza City starts the UN declares “Famine”

Euphoric_Inspiration

After of course changing the definition of what constitutes a 'famine'. Goal post moving.

MydniteSon

So famine in the place Hamas still controls. 

Charlie4s

Then the UN can distribute the aid piling up

betcaro

hamas collaborators, i wonder who manipulate this? starts with q?

Ronenkha

Even according to the health ministry's numbers the mortality is 1% of the threshold.

Honickm0nster

There have been so many claims of famine by now that the population should have been significantly reduced, it hasn't. And if you have to use images of individuals who have health conditions that cause them to be emaciated, you are proving that there isn't any famine. Sick of all these lies.

dcnb65

Have they told the obese gazan men and women yet? I’ve never seen such plump “suffering” people.

The only famine happening in Gaza is to the hostages. 

Edit: spelling 

Budget-Classic3076

flioink

Well. Can't trust what UN says. They employ literal terrorists 

Smooth-Doctor1688

Reading the report, I noticed something curious.

There's no mention of Hamas.

There's almost no mention of armed actors other than the IDF.

The report admits that most of the aid is intercepted inside Gaza. But it reads that as a sign of civilian desperation. The fact (admitted by the UN) that some of the aid is being diverted by armed actors is relegated to an offhand mention in a footnote.

There's also no clear mention AFAICT on hot to prevent the diversion, even under the ceasefire they're demanding.

eyl569

The NYT had a front page article about it.  Looks like their lies from the last article have taught them nothing because there is no accountability

Wegovyttt

Just think, all Hamas has to do is release 50 hostages, and this will all end. 

The fact that they refuse to do so, and that the UN and most of the countries in the world ignore this fact, says more about the world than anything that Israel does.

Fenroo

They have been against Israel from the start. They are not a credible organisation anymore. They cannot be trusted. The only thing that they should be spouting out their mouth is release all the hostages and Hamas to go away for good.

Slight-Strategy-5619

It is the same UN in early July lowered the requirements to declare for famine in order to declare Gaza in famine? I’m in shock /s

Nauborn

This cynical use of law fare by the freaking UN is going to be the end of western values, I just hope the UN goes down before everything else

OmryR

I'm not Israeli but I'm following the conflict as closely as possible. I'm not clear on the aid situation however. Did IDF blockade? And if no, why is aid not reaching ppl and what's the connection between IDF, Hamas and aid agencies? If someone is clear on what's going on can you explain?

Peelie5

Looks like it’s time to send in the GHF then, I’m sure the UN won’t have any issue with them distributing aid there

tupe12

Is it a famine or an epidemic? Pick one!

The UN is straight up just throwing inflammatory words at the wall and seeing what sticks (all of it)

masterof_farts

Undoubtedly there are food shortages in Gaza... but why aren't  they crying out to both Israel AND Hamas to do something?

Ok-Pomegranate858

Time to defund the UN. 

They are a pit of Jew hate and were taken over by tyrannical anti-Western states decades ago.

Ok_Ambassador9091

Even if there was a famine, no one should take the word of the UN when it comes to Israel.

MallCopBlartPaulo

Hilarious, what is this the 10th time they've claimed this only for it to be proven wrong?

Starmoses

Where's the photos of starving people and not children with birth defects?


If there was actually a famine it would be easy to find many of those, and it's not a documentation issue since they keep videotaping airstrikes.

Ok-Commercial-9408

If everything the UN and others have said about famine in Gaza were true, then the entire 2,000,000 population has already died many times over

200-inch-cock

Someone should tell all the restaurants in Gaza City to stop posting videos on Instagram. It's going to get in the way of the narrative.

spaniel_rage

UN keep being loyal to it's Qatar master like a puppy

frelovesjesus

UN declares "Jews have horns", "drink the blood of christian babies". Tonight at 11.

orten_rotte

So the one place in Gaza that is Controlled by Hamas has a "famine epidemic" meanwhile the Rest under Controll of the IDF doesnt? 

Ok, I guess the IDF should go in there as well then

withoutbitcoin

Might as well just say “Hamas facing famine.”

Baconkings

Not be that guy but it's a city. I can't think of any city on earth that is self sufficient.

whiskeythreeniner

Everything is a famine if you change the standards enough...

TheAnxiousDeveloper

Objectively terrible news and yet another reason that the war needs to end.

Many people are going to (understandably) brush this off since the UN has been playing boy who cried wolf with the whole famine thing for almost two whole years now, but the situation has gotten exponentially worse recently and I’m afraid it’s finally legit this time.

The UN considers an area as in famine when all three of these conditions apply:



- 20% of households have an extreme lack of food, or are essentially starving.

- At least 30% of children 6 months to 5 years old suffer from acute malnutrition, based on a weight-to-height measurement; or 15% of that age group suffer from acute malnutrition based on the circumference of their upper arm.

- At least two people, or four children under 5, per 10,000 are dying daily due to starvation or the interaction of malnutrition and disease.



…and these all seem reasonable for northern Gaza right now, unfortunately.

The whole GHF was a terrible idea and there’s a reason Gallant and Halevi warned the government against it. It’s a horribly inefficient way of distributing food to millions of people, even if the intent behind it was well-meaning, and it was inevitably going to make the world think that Israel had a policy of intentional starvation.

justanotherthrxw234

Full IPC report here
https://www.ipcinfo.org/fileadmin/user_upload/ipcinfo/docs/IPC_Famine_Review_Committee_Report_Gaza_Aug2025.pdf

PrettyCreative

Regardless of what side of the discussion you’re on, you need psychological evaluation if you think that it’s still humane for this to carry on the way it is.

The Americans should have put a stop to this months ago, &amp; the Israelis don’t seem to have the hostage return as a top priority. 

Whether or not you believe revenge was deserved after Oct 7th, this tragedy has went far &amp; beyond what would be considered reasonable.

This is &amp; will always be considered a dark point in history. 

These last few years have really opened my eyes to how humans defend crimes based on their biases. You’ve hypocrites everywhere - Those who care about Ukraine but not Palestine, those who care about Gaza but not Oct 7th, those who care about October 7th but not Gaza.

Human suffering is human suffering, regardless of a racist, xenophobic, biased outlook you may have.

There are politicians in America who are *basically* calling for the outright extermination of all Palestinians, yet Israeli hostage family members who are calling for an end to the war? It doesn’t make sense.

shutthefranceup

Gaza faces a severe famine, with over half a million people at risk of starvation. International agencies are calling for immediate humanitarian access to prevent further deterioration.

Famine in Gaza

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