UN declares famine in Gaza; 2 people starve to death in 24 hours

Al Jazeera update

TWO Palestinians have starved to death in Gaza in the past 24 hours, which also saw 71 people killed in Israeli attacks across the enclave, according to the territory’s Health Ministry.    

A UN classification system used to determine access to food has officially declared famine in Gaza, saying more than half a million Palestinians are facing catastrophic famine conditions, which include starvation, destitution and death.

Israel’s Foreign Ministry has rejected the findings, saying there is no famine in Gaza and the findings are based on “Hamas lies”.

At least 52 Palestinians have been killed across Gaza since dawn, including 36 killed in Gaza City, where the most intense bombardments are taking place, medical sources have told Al Jazeera.

Israel’s war on Gaza has killed at least 62,263 people and wounded 157,365, while 1,139 people were killed in Israel during the attacks on October 7, 2023, and more than 200 were taken captive.