An announcement of famine — as has now happened regarding Gaza — is a complicated decision. Here's what must be considered before such a declaration is made.

A UN-backed report warns that Gaza is facing a man-made famine affecting hundreds of thousands, while Israel prepares for a major offensive.

The United Nations has officially declared a famine in Gaza, blaming “systematic obstruction” of aid by Israel during more than 22 months of war. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu swiftly dismissed the findings.

The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) defines Famine as a situation in which at least one in five households has an extreme lack of food and face starvation and destitution, resulting in extremely critical levels of acute malnutrition and death.

As countries continue to send in aid to Gaza, Israel's restrictions and bombardment of the Palestinian enclave continue.

An immediate ceasefire is critical to allow a large-scale humanitarian response that can save lives, the UN said.

The people of Northern Gaza are starving. That’s according to an official declaration by a United Nations-backed group of experts, who comprise the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification or IPC. They say that famine has officially reached Gaza city and could soon reach other areas of the territory.