100,000 Gazans Still in 'Catastrophic Conditions' - UN

UN-backed experts say there have been improvements in nutrition and food supplies in Gaza since the ceasefire, but 100,000 people still experienced "catastrophic conditions" last month.

In August, the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) which monitors and classifies global hunger crises said that half a million people - about a quarter of Gaza's population - lived in areas suffering from famine.

The UN and other humanitarian agencies have been able to increase food getting into Gaza since October's ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.

Israel's foreign ministry said the IPC report was "deliberately distorted" and "doesn't reflect the reality in the Gaza Strip".

The latest IPC analysis suggests that a month ago, half a million Gazans were still facing emergency conditions and more than 100,000 were still under the highest level of food insecurity - IPC Phase 5 - experiencing "catastrophic conditions".

It projects that number will continue to decrease but stressed the situation remains "highly fragile".

IPC Phase 5 signifies the most extreme level of food insecurity, labelled "famine" for an area or "catastrophe" when referring to households. The report said no areas in Gaza were now classified as "in famine".

- Authors: Yolande Knell and Doug Faulkner [BBC]