A famine is occurring in Gaza City and its surrounding areas, according to the United Nations’ international system for monitoring world hunger and food security, Al Jazeera reports.

The UN-backed scale, known as the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification, has raised its classification for Gaza Governorate to Phase 5. This is the highest level and is characterised by starvation, destitution and death.

The same classification is projected to be extended to Deir el-Balah in central Gaza and Khan Younis in the south by the end of September, covering more than 500,000 people throughout Gaza.

Another 1.07 million people — or 54 percent of Gaza’s population — are classified as being under Phase 4, or “emergency” conditions, while 396,000 people (20pc) are under Phase 3, or “crisis” conditions.