Following the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) report of August 22, which confirmed that 514,000 people in Gaza are experiencing famine, 14 Security Council members expressed their profound alarm in a joint statement delivered by Slovenia and Guyana, the UNSC informal co-focal points on conflict and hunger.

The IPC projects that the number of people facing famine could rise to 641,000 by the end of September. At least 41,000 children are at heightened risk of death from malnutrition between now and June 2026, while older persons and those with chronic diseases are also disproportionately affected.

The 14 Council members stressed that the humanitarian emergency must be addressed without delay and Israel must reverse course. As underlined in the statement: “Famine in Gaza must be stopped immediately. The use of starvation as a weapon of war is clearly prohibited under international humanitarian law.” Therefore, international humanitarian law must be respected and Security Council resolution 2417 (2018) must be implemented.

In a joint statement, the 14 members, under the leadership of Slovenia and Guyana, collectively issued three urgent calls:

• an immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire, the release of all hostages and substantial surge of humanitarian assistance throughout Gaza;
• the immediate and unconditional lifting of all restrictions on aid delivery by Israel;
• the reversal of Israel’s decision to further expand its military operations in Gaza.

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