Hamas has said that the confirmation of the famine taking place in Gaza by the United Nations’ Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) is “important”, despite it coming “very late after long months of warnings”, according to Al Jazeera.

“We have repeatedly warned that the policies of blockade, systematic starvation, and the denial of food, medicine, and water to our people constitute a full-fledged genocide,“ it said on Telegram.

“Today, UN reports confirm to the entire world the extent of the humanitarian catastrophe our people are experiencing.”

It added that Israel’s denial of the famine revealed a “criminal mentality that deliberately lies to cover up the murder by starvation practiced against children, women, and the sick, in flagrant defiance of all international laws and norms.”

According to Hamas, the report must be followed by immediate action by the UN and the Security Council to stop the conflict and the unrestricted opening of the crossings to allow in food, medicine, water and fuel, while holding the occupation legally accountable for its use of starvation as a weapon of war.