Toronto, ON, August 22, 2025 – As famine grips Gaza, putting over a million children at risk, Plan International is demanding a ceasefire and unrestricted humanitarian access.

Famine has taken hold in Gaza Governorate and will expand to Deir al-Balah and Khan Younis without urgent action, according to a new report from the UN-backed Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) published today, Friday August 22.

A preventable catastrophe

Responding to the IPC’s latest report, Dr. Unni Krishnan, Global Humanitarian Director at Plan International has shared the following statement:

“The fatal consequences of Israel’s weaponization of hunger and blocking of humanitarian aid are devastatingly clear for all to see. No conflict should ever reach this point. What we are seeing in Gaza today is an entirely man-made and preventable catastrophe that is leaving more than a million Palestinian children – and 2.2 million people in total – struggling to stay alive.”

“Plan International has recently managed to deliver urgently needed aid into Gaza, but far more is needed. The continued illegal blockade of life-saving supplies means children and families are being condemned to die, painfully and needlessly.”

Profound impact on a generation of children

“Children in Gaza are not only being starved; they are also being maimed and permanently disabled in staggering numbers due to the Israeli army’s excessive use of force and newly intensified military campaign.”

“Since the escalation of conflict in Gaza, disabilities have risen by 60% and Gaza now has the highest number of child amputees in the world. Hunger, injury and forced displacement into militarized zones are all highly traumatic events and will have a profound impact on an entire generation of children.”

“The world cannot look away. Every hour lost costs more lives. Famine in Gaza is not a failure of logistics or aid — it is the outcome of brutal war and deliberate starvation.”

“We demand – without delay – an immediate and sustained ceasefire, a complete halt to arms transfers to Israel, and the full lifting of Israel’s illegal blockade on humanitarian aid. This must include safe and unrestricted humanitarian access, so that we can reach more children and families with food and the basics needed for survival.”

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