Israel Declares Gaza City a War Zone, Halts Aid Distribution Amid Growing Famine Concerns
The Israeli army has officially declared Gaza City, the largest urban center in the Gaza Strip, a dangerous war zone, while simultaneously suspending the distribution of humanitarian aid in the area. This announcement has intensified fears for the thousands of civilians already suffering from acute shortages of food, water, and medical supplies.
In a statement shared on social media, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said that from 10 a.m. today, previously enforced tactical pauses and restrictions on military operations within Gaza City would no longer apply. “We will conduct aggressive offensive operations against terrorist groups in Gaza to protect Israeli citizens,” the IDF said. The declaration signals that full-scale military operations are expected in Gaza City, raising speculation that Israel is preparing to capture the city entirely.
Impact on Civilians
The suspension of humanitarian aid deliveries will further deepen the crisis for Gaza’s residents, many of whom have already been displaced from other parts of the territory. Nearly half of Gaza’s estimated one million people are believed to have taken refuge in Gaza City. Human rights observers warn that without aid, the situation could rapidly spiral into an uncontrollable humanitarian catastrophe, with civilians trapped in a battlefield environment without access to basic needs.
Israel’s Position on Humanitarian Access
According to the IDF, the blockade of Gaza City is a strategic and localized decision, intended to pave the way for military operations against militant groups. The army emphasized that in other parts of the Gaza Strip, limited aid entry and distribution will continue, but Gaza City itself will be excluded. The military insists that its actions are necessary to neutralize terrorist threats operating from heavily populated areas.
Hunger Crisis in Gaza
Meanwhile, the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC), a globally recognized hunger monitoring system, has issued a stark warning. On Friday, it reported that Gaza City and surrounding areas are now officially experiencing famine conditions. The IPC estimates that 514,000 people are currently affected, and that number could rise to 641,000 by the end of September if the situation continues unchecked. Aid agencies stress that without immediate relief, the crisis could result in widespread fatalities, particularly among children and vulnerable groups.
Israel Rejects Famine Report
Despite international concern, Israel has strongly rejected the IPC’s findings, calling the report inaccurate and biased. Israeli officials argue that the data used by the hunger monitoring system was incomplete and largely sourced from Hamas-controlled channels. They also claim the report fails to acknowledge that shipments of food and grain have recently entered Gaza, which, according to Israel, disproves allegations of famine-level shortages.
A City on the Brink
With military escalation, halted aid, and an already dire humanitarian crisis, Gaza City now stands at a tipping point. Analysts suggest that Israel’s recent declarations point toward a major offensive aimed at regaining control over the city, which has become the central refuge for hundreds of thousands of displaced Palestinians. The days ahead are expected to bring intense fighting, further displacement, and worsening humanitarian suffering unless a breakthrough in negotiations or aid delivery is reached.
