Experts are questioning the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification’s (IPC) claims that famine conditions have taken hold in Gaza, citing a lack of mortality data and a drop in food prices as evidence that the situation may not meet the criteria for famine. David Adesnik, vice president for research at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, told Fox News Digital that the IPC’s definition of famine, which requires two deaths per 10,000 people daily, has not been verified in the Gaza Strip. Despite the IPC’s projections of a worsening crisis, Adesnik pointed out that the opposite has occurred, with food prices remaining stable or declining across key food and non-food items in three Gazan governorates, according to the World Food Programme’s Palestine Market Monitor.
The IPC’s claim that famine was occurring in one Gaza governorate and was projected to spread to two others by the end of September has sparked debate over the methodology and reliability of the assessment. While the Hamas-run Gaza Ministry of Health reported an increase in deaths from famine and malnutrition, Adesnik questioned whether the agency’s forecasts have been based on sound data. He noted that the IPC’s predictions of worsening food insecurity should have driven prices higher, but instead, prices have remained flat, suggesting that the famine declaration may not be supported by the data.
The credibility of the IPC’s famine assessments has also been called into question due to concerns about potential bias within its governance structure. The agency does not publicly disclose the list of non-governmental organizations (NGOs), government institutions, and U.N. agencies involved in its coordination, which has raised doubts about the independence and transparency of the organization. Adesnik expressed skepticism about the impartiality of the IPC’s projections, suggesting that the lack of transparency could influence the accuracy of its findings.
Additionally, the issue of aid distribution in Gaza has come under scrutiny. Adesnik pointed out that a significant majority of U.N. trucks have been intercepted since the conflict began, raising concerns about the effectiveness of aid delivery. The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) reported that 80.5% of U.N. trucks have been intercepted, with many of the aid shipments never reaching the intended recipients. Adesnik criticized this situation, arguing that it benefits those with the most power to access aid rather than the most vulnerable populations in the region.
The U.N. has also faced pressure to improve its aid delivery mechanisms. According to U.N. officials, the distribution of humanitarian aid is being considered as part of a broader effort to resume community-based and household-level distributions, which are seen as more effective ways to ensure aid reaches those in need. However, Adesnik warned that the U.N. must address these challenges, particularly in the context of ongoing security concerns, to prevent further humanitarian crises.
Meanwhile, the conflict has also raised questions about the role of international NGOs and U.N. agencies in the region, as some have come under scrutiny for alleged ties to Hamas. Adesnik highlighted the need for transparency and accountability, emphasizing that the U.N. must ensure that its aid operations prioritize the most vulnerable populations rather than the powerful. This challenge underscores the complex interplay between humanitarian aid, political agendas, and the on-the-ground realities in Gaza.