State Of Famine Officially Declared By UN As Israel Bombards Gaza City

Even as the Netanyahu government has approved of restarting externally mediated negotiations with Hamas again, Israel is threatening to utterly destroy Gaza City if the remaining hostages aren’t returned.

Israel’s defense minister issued a stark warning on Friday, saying Gaza City could face total destruction if Hamas does not quickly agree to Israel’s conditions, at a moment the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) are preparing artillery, tanks, aerial and ground forces for a new major assault on the city.

Prime Minister Netanyahu has a day ago announced authorizing the military to take control of Gaza City. Defense chief Israel Katz warned the city could face the same fate as Rafah and Beit Hanoun, which have been largely leveled after prior offensives in the wake of the Oct.7, 2023 terror attack.

„The gates of hell will soon open on Hamas’ murderers and rapists in Gaza – unless they accept Israel’s terms for ending the war,” Katz posted on X. He reiterated Israel’s demands for a cease-fire: the full release of all hostages and Hamas’ total disarmament.

Hamas, for its part, has said it is willing to release hostages in return for an end to the war, but obviously is not going to give up its weapons unless there is a full IDF withdrawal and the official establishment of a Palestinian state.

Into Friday, there are reports that the IDF is bombarding Gaza City with artillery or also airstrikes, preparing for more direct operations in the city.

Meanwhile, the other big development on Friday is that the UN-backed Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) has formally declared a state of famine in Gaza City and the surrounding areas.

„Soon, the gates of hell will open” if Hamas does not agree to „Israel’s conditions for ending the war”, says Israeli minister Israel Katz as mediators wait for Israel’s official response to the ceasefire proposal, which Hamas accepted.

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— Al Jazeera English (@AJEnglish) August 22, 2025

UN chief Antonio Gutteres said the situation was a „man-made disaster” after the UN-backed body raised its food insecurity status to Phase 5 – the highest and most severe – in some parts of the Palestinian enclave.

The IPC describes that over 500,000 people across Gaza are facing „catastrophic” conditions characterized by „starvation, destitution and death”. But Israel has responded by calling the status change an „outright lie”. Gaza sources say at least two civilians have died by hunger on Friday – and with many more killed due to attacks from Israeli forces.