India, Aug. 22 -- The world's leading authority on food crises on Friday said Gaza City is gripped by famine and that it is likely to spread across the territory.

The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification, or IPC, said famine is occurring in Gaza City and could spread south to Deir al-Balah and Khan Younis by the end of next month, the Associated Press reported.

According to the report, this is the first time the IPC has confirmed of a famine in the Middle East. It also comes after months of warnings by aid groups that Israel's restrictions of food and other aid into Gaza, and its military offensive, were causing high levels of starvation among Palestinian civilians, particularly children.

"After 22 months of relentless conflic...