New Delhi, July 30 -- The leading international authority on food crises said Tuesday that the "worst-case scenario of famine is currently playing out in Gaza." It predicted "widespread death" without immediate action.

The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification, or IPC, said Gaza has been on the brink of famine for two years, and that recent developments, including "increasingly stringent blockades" by Israel, have "dramatically worsened" the situation.

Even though Israel eased a 2 1/2-month blockade on the territory in May, aid groups say only a trickle of assistance is getting into the enclave and that Palestinians face catastrophic levels of hunger 21 months into the Israeli offensive launched after Hamas' Oct. 7 attack.

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