UN News Today 29 July 2025 |

In Gaza, mounting evidence of famine and widespread starvation

There are growing signs of widespread starvation in Gaza, international food security experts said on Tuesday, in their most dire assessment yet of the situation in the war-torn enclave.

According to the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) platform,

two out of three famine thresholds have been reached in Gaza, namely plummeting food consumption and acute malnutrition.

There is also mounting evidence of a rise in hunger-related deaths, which is the third famine indicator, but it has not been possible to gather enough robust data on this because Gaza’s health system is collapsing.

The UN World Food Programme said that the assessment showed “mounting evidence” of famine.

Here’s the UN agency’s Ross Smith, Director of Emergencies:

“This is unlike anything we have seen in this century, it reminds us of previous disasters in Ethiopia or Biafra in the past century. And it’s clear we need urgent action now, so this is definitely not a warning, this is a call for action.”

Russian strike on Ukrainian prison reportedly ‘kills at least 16’

An airstrike on a prison in south-eastern Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia region on Monday reportedly left 16 inmates dead and almost 100 injured, the UN human rights mission in the country has said.

On Tuesday, another attack reportedly killed five civilians and injured three in the Kharkiv region.

According to the authorities, several air-dropped bombs launched by Russian armed forces struck Bilenkivska prison around 25 kilometres – or 16 miles – from the frontline in Zaporizhzhia region on 28 July.

“Prisoners are civilians, and they must be protected under international humanitarian law,” said Danielle Bell, head of the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine.

The UN Mission said that damage to the prison is consistent with the use of powerful air-dropped glide bombs, given the extensive structural damage and wide-area blast effects observed.  

Moscow has denied responsibility for the prison attack.  

Meanwhile, a separate Russian strike on Monday in Kamianske, Dnipropetrovsk region, reportedly damaged a hospital and its maternity ward, killing three and injuring 22. At least two of the dead were patients, including a woman who was seven months’ pregnant.

Somalia violence displaces 100,000 in Hiraan, Gedo

Escalating conflict in central and southern Somalia has forced more than 100,000 people to flee their homes in just two months, the UN aid coordination agency, OCHA, reported on Tuesday.

The development comes amid intensifying clashes between the Somali National Army supported by local militias, and the non-state armed group, Al Shabaab.

In Hiraan region’s Mahas town, heavy clashes in recent days forced nearly the entire population of around 23,000 people to flee.

Seven health facilities across Hiraan have also suspended operations while road access remains obstructed, OCHA said. The UN agency also reported that key water sources have been damaged, worsening urgent humanitarian needs, which include food, shelter and medical assistance.

In Gedo region’s Belet Xaawo District, conflict that began on 22 July has affected over 38,000 people.

Humanitarian partners warn the crisis may deepen without urgent support. Displacement sites have been identified but insecurity and limited funding continue to hinder aid delivery. Food, cash, and nutrition assistance are reaching some areas, but needs remain critical, OCHA said.

Daniel Johnson, UN News