RAMALLAH, August 3, 2026 (WAFA) - Minister of Social Development and Acting Minister of State for Relief, Samah Hamad, affirmed on Monday that the relative improvement reflected in the latest Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) report does not indicate that the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip has ended. Rather, it reflects the direct impact of the continued flow of humanitarian assistance, warning that any reduction in aid deliveries would rapidly push conditions back to even more dangerous levels.
Minister Hamad made the remarks during a joint press conference organized by the Ministry in partnership with Ramiz Alakbarov, Deputy Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for the Occupied Palestinian Territory, with the participation of Shaun Hughes, WFP Representative and Country Director in Palestine. The conference presented the findings of the latest IPC report and reviewed the humanitarian and living conditions in the Gaza Strip.
She stressed that Gaza has long surpassed the threshold of a humanitarian catastrophe. She noted that civilians are no longer facing a temporary food shortage but rather a systematic deprivation of the basic means of survival due to the blockade and restrictions on the entry of food, water, and medicine. These measures have led to an unprecedented collapse in purchasing power, the closure of dozens of community and soup kitchens, and have turned access to a single daily meal into a struggle for survival.
She outlined the catastrophic conditions faced by displaced families living in tents, the continued deterioration of essential services, the rise in malnutrition rates, and the disproportionate impact on children, pregnant and breastfeeding women, older persons, and persons with disabilities.
Minister Hamad pointed out that the latest IPC report confirms that more than 1.4 million Palestinians continue to experience acute levels of food insecurity, while more than 212,000 people remain in Emergency (IPC Phase 4). In addition, 74,200 children require treatment for acute malnutrition, while 24,600 pregnant and breastfeeding women require urgent nutritional interventions. She stressed that these figures demonstrate the continued fragility of the humanitarian situation despite the limited improvements recorded in recent months.
For his part, Alakbarov commended the efforts of the Palestinian government and the Ministry of Social Development in leading the humanitarian response and managing the crisis. He emphasized that the findings of the IPC report must be interpreted carefully, noting that the improvements observed are solely the result of sustained humanitarian assistance rather than any genuine recovery or restoration of normal living conditions.
He explained that although the report shows an improvement compared with previous assessments, around two-thirds of Gaza's population—approximately 1.4 million people—remain in IPC Phase 3 or above, while more than 200,000 people remain in IPC Phase 4 (Emergency). He stressed that the humanitarian situation remains extremely fragile and that the continuation of humanitarian assistance is essential to preserving these limited gains.
Alakbarov further emphasized that humanitarian assistance alone cannot provide a lasting solution. He called for the full and sustained opening of crossings, the resumption of economic and commercial activity, the restoration of livelihoods, and the launch of early recovery programmes. He warned that continued restrictions on the movement of people and the entry of humanitarian and commercial supplies continue to undermine prospects for meaningful recovery.
He also warned of the long-term consequences of malnutrition among children, stressing that prolonged deprivation of adequate nutrition has lasting effects on children's physical growth, health, cognitive development, and ability to recover. He further noted the continued need for nutritional and health support for thousands of pregnant and breastfeeding women.
Meanwhile, Shaun Hughes, WFP Representative and Country Director, stated that the IPC report represents an independent technical assessment prepared by more than 60 experts from over 20 organizations, based on extensive field data, including the largest nutrition survey conducted in Gaza since the beginning of the war.
He explained that the relative improvement reflected in the indicators should not be interpreted as the end of the crisis, but rather as the direct result of sustained humanitarian operations. Since last November, the WFP has been able to reach approximately 75 percent of Gaza's population each month through food assistance and cash transfers, in cooperation with humanitarian partners.
Hughes added that 67 percent of Gaza's population continues to experience acute food insecurity, while more than 200,000 people remain in Emergency (IPC Phase 4). He warned that any reduction in humanitarian assistance or funding would rapidly reverse the gains reflected in the food security indicators, particularly in light of declining humanitarian coverage over recent months and growing funding challenges alongside continued access constraints.
He stressed that preserving the limited progress achieved requires sustained international financing, unhindered humanitarian access, and parallel investment in early recovery programmes that enable the people of Gaza to rebuild their lives and reduce long-term dependence on humanitarian assistance.
At the conclusion of the press conference, the participants renewed their call on the international community to uphold its responsibilities by ensuring the full and sustained opening of crossings, guaranteeing the safe and unhindered flow of humanitarian assistance and commercial supplies, supporting early recovery programmes and the restoration of essential services, protecting civilians, preserving their dignity, and providing the Palestinian people with a genuine opportunity to rebuild their lives and secure their future.
K.F.
