UN-backed food security experts have found improvements in nutrition and food supplies in Gaza since the ceasefire but say 100,000 people were still experiencing catastrophic conditions last month.
In August, the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) reported that half a million people – about a quarter of Gaza's population – were living in areas suffering from famine.
Since a fragile ceasefire came into force in October, the UN and other humanitarian agencies have been able to increase food getting into Gaza.
Israel's foreign ministry responded to the report by claiming it was deliberately distorted and doesn't reflect the reality in the Gaza Strip.
The latest IPC analysis suggests that a month ago, half a million Gazans were still facing emergency conditions and over 100,000 were classified under IPC Phase 5, the level of food insecurity described as catastrophic conditions.
Although projections indicate a potential decrease in this number, the generally fragile situation remains a significant concern.
IPC Phase 5 signifies the most extreme level of food insecurity, representing conditions categorized as Famine for a geographic area or Catastrophe for households. The report indicated no areas in Gaza are currently classified as in Famine.
Israel has dismissed the original famine findings by the IPC, which monitors and classifies global hunger crises, criticizing its methodology instead.
According to Cogat, the Israeli military body responsible for Gaza’s crossings, the number of food aid trucks entering the territory weekly has exceeded the quantities the UN estimates are necessary.
The report relies on severe gaps in data collection and on sources that do not reflect the full scope of humanitarian assistance, Cogat said in a statement.
The IPC noted acute malnutrition has reached critical levels in Gaza City and is serious in areas such as Deir al-Balah and Khan Younis.
In the coming months, while it is expected that the number of people facing the harshest conditions will fall to approximately 1,900 by April, renewed hostilities could endanger the entire population with famine risks.
Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has indicated that key issues remain in ongoing peace negotiations involving the US, including troop withdrawals and Hamas disarmament.
The IPC highlights that key drivers of food insecurity include restricted humanitarian access, the displacement of over 730,000 individuals, and extensive destruction to livelihoods, with over 96% of Gaza's cropland rendered destroyed or inaccessible.
Following a blockade on aid deliveries imposed in March, some relief was seen in May as pressure mounted on Hamas for hostage release.
Unwra, the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, declared that while famine is not currently prevalent, the overall living conditions remain critical, particularly compounded by winter weather. They emphasize the need for sustained and expanded humanitarian access.
