David Satterfield, US humanitarian envoy in Gaza, has told a forum organised by the American Jewish Committee that most “if not all” of Gaza’s 2.2 million people are facing famine, Al Jazeera reports.

“There is an imminent risk of famine for the majority, if not all, the 2.2 million population of Gaza,” Satterfield was quoted as saying by Israeli media including Haaretz and The Times of Israel.

“This is not a point in debate. It is an established fact, which the United States, its experts, the international community, [and] its experts assess and believe is real.”

The US envoy also stressed that since Israel is seen as the effective controlling power in Gaza, the country had an obligation to help the civilians there.

“The horrific dehumanization of Israelis that took place on October 7 and the ongoing dehumanization of the Israeli hostages every day they’re held cannot be matched by the dehumanisation of innocent Palestinian civilians,” Satterfield was quoted as saying in the online event.