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Gaza famine claims face mounting scrutiny as mortality data falls far short of predictions
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Even as aid continues to flow into Gaza following President Donald Trump’s ceasefire deal, one expert is questioning the veracity of claims by the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) that famine conditions took hold in Gaza this summer — and the organizational ties of the agency.
«What makes famine different from just hunger or deprivation is that it’s lethal,» David Adesnik, vice president of research at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies told Fox News Digital. «Using the IPC definition — that famine claims two lives per day per 10,000 people — the famine in Gaza directorate should by now have resulted in about 9,000 deaths from hunger or hunger-related disease,» he explained. «They didn’t have data showing that mortality rate had been reached.»
On Aug. 22, the IPC claimed that famine was occurring in one Gaza governorate and was projected to reach two additional governorates by Sept. 30.
ISRAEL ACCUSES UN-BACKED GAZA FAMINE REPORT OF POLITICAL MANIPULATION, DEMANDS WITHDRAWAL
Aid trucks of The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) deliver aid near Gaza City on June 19. (Dawoud Abo Alkas/Anadolu via Getty Images)
As of Aug. 22, the Hamas-run Gaza Ministry of Health stated that 273 Palestinians had died of famine and malnutrition during nearly two years of conflict. By Oct. 7, the number, it claimed, had reached 460, a difference of 187.
«I imagine it was a horrific end for those 187 individuals. But an accusation of famine is supposed to rest on evidence,» Adesnik said.
He noted that «the IPC forecast a major worsening of the food security situation,» which he said «should drive prices substantially higher. But in fact, we’ve seen the opposite.»
Days after a cease-fire took effect, Gazans shop in a market in central Gaza on Oct. 18, 2025. (TPS-IL)
The World Food Programme’s Palestine Market Monitor shows that prices for 60 of 89 key food and non-food necessities in three Gazan governorates have remained the same or declined between the last week of August and the third week of September.
Fox News Digital asked the IPC, WFP, U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) and U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) whether they believe, given data on food pricing and mortality rates, that there is famine in Gaza. OCHA and FAO deferred to the IPC, which did not respond.
Sources also question whether there may be bias in the IPC’s famine predictions. The IPC does not name the non-governmental organizations, government institutions and U.N. agencies that are part of its overarching governance structure. These organizations also provide personnel who «support the funding, implementation and institutionalization of IPC at the country level» as Technical Working Group (TWG) members.
The IPC did not respond to questions about which NGO and U.N. entities are part of its organization or how their salaries are paid.
Gazans wait for food aid in Gaza in July. Critics have questioned the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification’s famine classification for one Gaza governorate and projected it to reach two others by September. July 23, 2025. (Khames Alrefi/Anadolu via Getty Images))
Recently, U.N. agencies and international NGOs have come under fire due to allegations of alignment with Hamas.
Eri Kaneko said that OCHA does not participate in IPC TWGs. The FAO told Fox News Digital, however, that during crises, «the IPC coordinates global analyses with technical experts from several partner organizations, including FAO, WFP, UNICEF, OCHA, and others from the wider IPC network, such as international and national NGOs.»
UNICEF OFFICIAL SAYS GAZA MALNUTRITION REACHES ‘FAMINE LEVELS’ AS HUMANITARIAN AID TRICKLES IN
The U.N.’s food distribution model has been questioned due to the severity of looting from both armed and unarmed actors. The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) shows that 80.5% (6,800 of 8,440) of U.N. trucks have been intercepted since May 19.
«That can’t possibly be the fairest way to distribute aid,» Adesnik said. «There’s some indication that when in a situation like that, it’s the strongest who can claim their share of the aid. And that’s sort of the opposite of how we probably like it to be, and it doesn’t seem the U.N. is doing anything to fix the situation.»
Hamas terrorists carrying clubs and firearms secure, and divert humanitarian aid trucks in the northern Gaza area of Jabaliya on June. 25 (TPS-IL)
Kaneko said that aid interception «is a serious concern.» According to Kaneko, the U.N. plan for scaling operations «focuses on resuming community-based and household-level distributions – the most effective way to ensure that aid reaches the most vulnerable.»
She said that in addition to the ceasefire,»for our plan to succeed, we also need open crossings; safe movement for civilians, including aid workers; unrestricted entry of goods; visas for humanitarian staff; space to operate; and a revival of the private sector.»
Since the ceasefire began, OCHA reported that there was «a possible reduction in the rate of interception.» As of Oct. 17, UNOPS shows that slightly more than 75% of items shipped into Gaza have arrived at their destinations since May.
UNRWA SCHOOLS ‘HIJACKED BY HAMAS,’ WATCHDOG REPORT WARNS
A Hamas policeman patrols a market in central Gaza days after a ceasefire was signed on Oct. 18, 2025. (TPS-IL)
Adesnik also addressed concerns about changes in OCHA Humanitarian Situation Reports, which previously described the proportion of aid seekers it claims perished in the vicinity of Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) distribution sites versus those who died in the vicinity of U.N. aid convoys.
Not long after reports between July 21 and Aug. 18 indicated that more aid seekers perished at U.N. convoy sites (576) than near GHF distribution sites (259), Adesnik said, «we noticed that for the first time, [OCHA] omitted that number of people killed while seeking aid. » Adesnik said he wonders whether «because the numbers turned against them, they’re just going to stop reporting it.»
U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee and Special Envoy Steve Witkoff speak with an air working in Gaza as they visit a distribution site run by the U.S.- and Israeli-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation. (Gaza Humanitarian Foundation)
Kaneko indicated that the change is temporary, explaining that data on deaths around convoys and distributions is «typically provided by two sources and always attributed accordingly» and that «if no new data is received from either source by the time an update is finalized, figures from that source may only appear in a subsequent update.»
Starting delivery of aid in May, the U.S. – backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation has delivered more than 185 million free meals to Palestinians, with some asking whether they could be a replacement or addition to the U.N./NGO system. A GHF spokesperson told Fox News Digital that GHF «has conveyed its openness and flexibility to adapt to U.N.-established norms» and «has been offering, for several months, to help the U.N. and other humanitarian groups deliver their aid securely and safely into Gaza.»
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Adding further confusion to the question of hunger in Gaza was a statement on X from UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini, who recently said, while praising the ceasefire agreement that his agency has «enough to provide food for the entire population for the coming three months.»
In response to the claim, Adesnik noted that «For the past five months, the U.N. has sent in thousands of trucks, knowing eight or nine out of ten would be looted. If they had coordinated with Israel on security, that aid could’ve been delivered into the hands of those who needed it most.»
united nations,israel,conflicts,terrorism,middle east,donald trump
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Un Chile en pánico por la inseguridad y la violencia elige presidente y escalan los discursos de mano dura
Jeannette Jara también habla de frenar a las bandas del narcotráfico. Foto: BloombergLas cifras y el miedo
Una seguidora de Johannes Kaiser, con una gorra con el mismo eslogan que usa Donald Trump en Estados Unidos. Foto: REUTERS
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DNC staffers ruthlessly mocked for fuming over remote work reversal: ‘Get yourselves together’
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Democratic National Committee employees were mercilessly mocked this week after news came out that staffers were very unhappy with a recent directive from DNC Chairman Ken Martin end to remote work for employees who will now be required to show up to the office five days a week.
Leadership of the union representing DNC employees put out a statement following news of the new directive, describing it as «callous.» Reports from those on the staff-wide call also described an immediate flurry of thumbs-down emojis and other signs of anger upon news of the new requirement.
«It was shocking to see the DNC chair disregard staff’s valid concerns on today’s team call,» they wrote. «D.N.C. staff worked extremely hard to support historic wins for Democrats up and down the ballot last Tuesday, and this change feels especially callous considering the current economic conditions created by the Trump administration.» Martin reportedly told employees that if they don’t like the new policy, they should go find a job elsewhere.
And Martin wasn’t the only Democrat who had some harsh and pointed words for the Democratic Party staffers. Neera Tanden, former President Joe Biden’s domestic policy advisor, had a similar message for DNC staffers, suggesting there were many eager folks waiting in line who would likely be more than willing to go into the office.
PROGRESSIVE DEMOCRATS TURN ON PARTY LEADERSHIP AFTER GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN ENDS WITHOUT HEALTHCARE GUARANTEES
Democratic National Committee Chairman Ken Martin speaking from the DNC’s home studio. (Bill Clark/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)
«If you think democracy is on the line – working in the office is not a big ask,» Tanden wrote in a post on X. «And there are plenty of other people willing to step up. Get yourselves together people.»
A left-wing group, the Center for New Liberalism, echoed the view that the staffers «should look elsewhere» if working from home is a «must-have.»
«When you accept a job on a campaign, or with an org like the DNC, DCCC, etc, your single purpose is to win the election. It is a demanding job that requires long hours & sacrifices,» the group wrote on X. «The other part of this is that I suspect [work from home] staff are probably losing opportunities for themselves by not being in the office. Campaigns require a lot of personal sacrifice, but the people who are good at their job and work to make themselves noticed in the office usually tend to go on to do big things!»
One Florida-based Democratic strategist, Steve Schale, who led Barack Obama’s statewide efforts in Florida in 2008 and returned to help his campaign in 2012, said the DNC should implement a «requirement» to ensure those who want to work at the DNC really have what it takes.
«There should be a requirement that to work at the DNC that you’ve done at least two cycles on an actual battleground campaign, where terms like flex hours & hybrid work don’t exist,» Schale wrote on X.
6 HOUSE DEMOCRATS EXPLAIN BREAKING WITH PARTY TO END SHUTDOWN
A man is seen walking in front of the Democratic National Committee’s headquarters located in Washington, D.C. (Photo by Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)
Meanwhile, Republicans did not spare the opportunity to slam Democratic Party staffers as well.
«You can’t make this up — the DNC union is pissed that the Chairman is calling staff back into the office 5 days a week,» former Trump White House press secretary, Sean Spicer, said after learning of the anger. GOP strategist, Matt Gorman, quipped that the image of DNC staffers logging onto a Zoom call in their pajamas amid all the chaos of Biden’s reelection «is hilarious.»
«The best part is that they still get two full months before they actually have to get out of bed 5 days week,» GOP National Press Secretary Kiersten Pels said. «Is this a political committee or a daycare?»
Martin reportedly told his employees that the work-from-home policy the DNC implemented during COVID was never meant to be permanent, describing it as a «Band-Aid» that has long needed to be ripped off. He did say that remote work would still be allowed on a case-by-case basis, however.
Neera Tanden, one of former President Joe Biden’s top advisors in the White House, was among those Democrats who slammed DNC staffers for being upset of having to go back into the office full-time, as opposed to remote work. (Chandan Khanna/AFP via Getty Images)
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The staffer’s union said it is considering all options in terms of challenging the measure. The group previously ratified a collective bargaining agreement with the DNC over the summer that «reaffirms its commitment to making hybrid work available,» but also includes language that allows for a full return to in-person working as long as there is a 60-day notice period, according to the New York Times.
Earlier this year, the Congressional Progressive Staff Association sent a letter to top House and Senate leaders proposing a rotating 32-hour work week for congressional staffers, arguing it would be a more «sustainable approach to work on a national level.»
The proposal was widely mocked, however.
«Why not be bold and ask for a 0-hour workweek?» quipped Rep. Ritchie Torres, D-N.Y., at the time. «I wonder how blue-collar Americans would feel about white-collar workers demanding a 32-hour workweek.»
democratic party,politics,democrats elections,health work,tech,topics
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Persecución en Cuba: la dictadura acusó a un medio digital independiente de “tráfico de divisas” y “evasión fiscal”
El primer ministro de la dictadura de Cuba, Manuel Marrero, acusó este jueves al medio digital no oficial El Toque de tráfico de divisas y evasión fiscal, en el contexto de un creciente enfrentamiento con la prensa independiente. La denuncia se realizó en redes sociales y siguió a la emisión, el miércoles por la noche, de un documental en la televisión estatal que acusa al medio —con sede en Miami— de recibir fondos de Estados Unidos y de buscar la desestabilización del país.
En medio de la campaña oficial contra El Toque, Marrero aseguró: “Se trata de un programa integral de guerra económica organizado, financiado y ejecutado directamente por el gobierno de EEUU”.
Las autoridades cubanas han intensificado las críticas contra El Toque, conocido por publicar diariamente la tasa de cambio del mercado informal, muy distinta a la establecida oficialmente por el régimen cubano y utilizada como referencia mayoritaria para operaciones monetarias en la isla. Según Marrero, la tasa de cambio informada por El Toque es “una farsa” y el resultado de “una burda manipulación”, declaraciones recogidas durante esta ofensiva mediática.
Mientras tanto, los medios del régimen enlazaron la acusación de Marrero con críticas al funcionamiento del propio sitio, al que señalaron de “mercenarismo”, “enriquecimiento ilícito”, “manipulación cambiaria” y de operar “en contra del bienestar del pueblo”. La controversia surge en un contexto en el que la tasa oficial, instaurada en 2022, es de 1 dólar estadounidense (USD) por 24 pesos cubanos (CUP) para entidades jurídicas y de 1 USD por 120 CUP para personas físicas, mientras que El Toque posicionó este jueves el cambio en 1 USD por 460 CUP.
La información publicada por El Toque se ha vuelto central en la vida cotidiana de los cubanos, ya que la mayoría de las transacciones informales en la isla toman como base la cotización de este medio.
La coexistencia de tres tasas de cambio provoca severas distorsiones en la economía local, dificultando la lucha contra la inflación, el descenso del poder adquisitivo, el proceso de dolarización, las carencias de productos básicos, el déficit y la descapitalización de los bancos estatales. Según expertos citados por EFE, esta situación sin precedentes convive con una crisis sistémica que afecta al país desde hace más de un lustro, sin señales claras de recuperación a corto o mediano plazo.
El régimen cubano ha anunciado en varias ocasiones, la última vez hacia finales de 2023, la intención de introducir reformas para corregir las distorsiones cambiarias. Entre ellas, la introducción de una tasa de cambio “flotante” para la segunda mitad de 2024. Sin embargo, hasta la fecha, ni el modelo ni la implementación han sido esclarecidos públicamente. Ante la escasez crónica de divisas, el Estado aceleró la dolarización parcial de la economía abriendo decenas de tiendas que sólo aceptan moneda extranjera y habilitando el cobro en divisas de diversos servicios estatales, prácticas justificadas por la necesidad de recapitalizar el país que importa el 80% de lo que consume.
Frente a los señalamientos, El Toque ha negado en múltiples ocasiones toda acusación oficial, argumentando que su tasa de referencia surge de un algoritmo que recopila anuncios de compraventa de divisas en foros y redes sociales, filtrando valores anómalos bajo supervisión del economista Pavel Vidal. Varios especialistas cubanos, consultados por EFE, admitieron la confiabilidad relativa del método, aunque reconocen que se basa en ofertas y no en transacciones reales, y utiliza la mediana como parámetro, no la moda.
La presión sobre El Toque ha resultado en campañas oficiales contra su personal e incluso provocó la emigración de una gran parte de sus periodistas, luego de ser interrogados por la Seguridad del Estado.
Este clima se ha visto reforzado por la reciente acusación de “espionaje” y “corrupción” contra Alejandro Gil, ex ministro de Economía cercano al presidente Miguel Díaz-Canel, reviviendo el debate sobre las purgas políticas al más alto nivel. Gil, de 61 años, permanece fuera de la vida pública. La reacción oficialista ha sido comparada con anteriores expulsiones repentinas de figuras clave dentro del Estado cubano, como las de Felipe Pérez Roque y Carlos Lage en 2009, o el fusilamiento del general Arnaldo Ochoa en 1989 tras un proceso judicial por narcotráfico, hechos que han marcado la historia política reciente del país.
(Con información de AFP y EFE)
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