Riyadh : The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has expressed deep concern over the worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza after the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) confirmed that famine has already struck northern Gaza and is expected to spread further in the coming weeks.
In a statement issued on Friday, the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs strongly condemned what it described as “genocide committed by Israeli forces against civilians” in the besieged enclave. The ministry stressed that the famine is a “direct result of the absence of mechanisms to deter and hold accountable the repeated crimes of the Israeli occupation.”, reported the Saudi Gazette.
The statement further warned that these atrocities “will remain a stain on the brow of the international community, especially the permanent members of the UN Security Council, unless urgent action is taken to end the famine and stop the war of extermination against the Palestinian people.”
According to IPC findings, nearly 514,000 people — around one-fourth of Gaza’s population — are facing famine conditions, with numbers expected to rise to 641,000 by the end of September. Around 280,000 of the affected live in Gaza City, while the rest are concentrated in Deir al-Balah and Khan Younis, areas predicted to fall into famine next month.
The crisis comes as Israel prepares a large-scale military offensive to occupy Gaza City, a move that aid agencies fear will worsen the humanitarian disaster beyond control.
The Gaza Ministry of Health reported that at least 269 people, including 112 children, have already died of starvation. Since March, Israel has severely restricted humanitarian aid, and from May, allowed limited supplies through the so-called “Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF).” Chaotic scenes around distribution points have left thousands dead and injured.
Saudi Arabia’s warning echoes mounting global concern over the catastrophe, with humanitarian agencies urging immediate international intervention to prevent further loss of life.
