In brief
Rida Hijjeh has spoken out about the devastating effects of famine on her daughter, Lamia, who has lost 9.5 kg due to the dire conditions in Gaza. The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification has now classified the region at the highest level of acute food insecurity. The situation is further complicated by disputes surrounding claims of starvation, with the Israeli government denying the occurrence of famine.
A mother has told the BBC her five-year-old daughter has lost almost half of her body weight due to the famine in Gaza City. Lamia Hijjeh, whose family has been displaced several times during the war, has lost 8.5 kg and cannot walk, according to her mother Rida.On Friday, the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) raised its classification to Phase 5, the highest and worst level of its acute food insecurity scale. It confirms that famine is ongoing in the Gaza Governorate, which includes Gaza City and its surrounding area, with 'catastrophic conditions' projected to expand to Deir al-Balah and Khan Younis by the end of September. Israel has denied there was starvation in Gaza, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu labeling the IPC report as an 'outright lie'. Rida expressed her anguish over her daughter's situation, stating, 'There is simply nothing to eat.'
