New Delhi, Sept. 1 -- Famine is now a reality in Gaza after Israel's 22-month war on the Palestinian territory, as confirmed by the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC), a UN-backed agency. "Food has been used as a weapon," according to the UN's emergency relief and humanitarian affairs head, who pointed to "systematic obstruction of humanitarian aid deliveries." Separately, the UN's secretary general called the Gaza crisis "a man-made disaster."

The IPC has sounded a famine alert multiple times, and every instance has been directly linked to an armed conflict.

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