The UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has urged immediate access to the Gaza Strip, where famine is imminent, to provide urgent and critical assistance.

"More than half of the population, some 1.11 million people, are catastrophically food insecure," the FAO said.

In addition, "famine is expected to occur anytime between now and May 2024 in the northern areas, according to a new report released today by the global Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) initiative," the agency said in a statement.

The rest of the Strip "is also at risk of future hunger, in the worst case scenario, if hostilities do not cease and large-scale humanitarian assistance does not reach those most in need," it added.

This footage illustrates various buildings destroyed in Gaza filmed on March 18.

This footage was filmed and produced 18 March 2024.

The UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) today urged immediate access to the Gaza Strip, where famine is imminent, in order to provide urgent and critical assistance on a large scale.

"More than half of the population, some 1.11 million people, are catastrophically food insecure," FAO said.

In addition, "famine is expected to occur anytime between now and May 2024 in the northern governorates, according to a new report released today by the global Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) initiative," the agency said in a statement.

The rest of the Strip "is also at risk of future hunger, in the worst case scenario, if hostilities do not cease and large-scale humanitarian assistance does not reach those most in need," it added.

"This updated CPI analysis validates what we all feared: a deepening and rapid deterioration of the food security situation in Gaza. Half of the population is facing catastrophic levels of food insecurity," said Beth Bechdol, FAO Assistant Director-General.

This footage illustrates various buildings destroyed in Gaza.