Israel has strongly rejected the findings of a UN-backed food security report, insisting that no famine exists in Gaza and accusing the assessment of being grounded in what it termed “Hamas lies”.

The rebuttal came on Friday following the Rome-based Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) panel’s declaration that famine had been confirmed in the Gaza Governorate – Gaza City, an area constituting about 20 per cent of the Gaza Strip.

In a sharply worded response, Israel’s foreign ministry dismissed the IPC’s findings, stating:

• “There is no famine in Gaza.”
• The report was “based on Hamas lies laundered through organisations with vested interests”.
• A “massive influx of aid” in recent weeks had supplied Gaza with staple foodstuffs, resulting in a sharp decline in food prices.
• The IPC’s assessment would ultimately be “thrown into the despicable trash bin of political documents”.

The Israeli Defence Ministry unit overseeing civil affairs in the Palestinian territories, known as COGAT, also rejected the IPC conclusions.

“COGAT firmly rejects the claim of famine in the Gaza Strip, and particularly in Gaza City. Previous reports and assessments by the IPC have repeatedly been proven inaccurate and do not reflect the reality on the ground.”
— COGAT statement

COGAT further argued that the IPC report:

• Ignored Israel’s recent efforts to “stabilise the humanitarian situation” in Gaza.
• Relied on partial data while disregarding information provided directly by Israeli authorities.

Key Points of Dispute