UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres described the situation in the Gaza Strip as a "man-made disaster" after the international food security system officially declared famine in parts of the Palestinian enclave for the first time, DPA reported, BTA reported.
The report, published today by the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification System, says there is "convincing evidence" that famine has been spreading in an area of the Gaza Strip, which includes Gaza City, since August 15. Israel has categorically rejected its credibility.
In response to this report, Guterres described on the social network "Ex" conditions in the enclave as "living in hell".
He stressed that the situation "is not a mystery" but a "man-made disaster, a moral indictment and a failure of humanity itself".
The UN Secretary-General also said that the occupying power had obligations under international law to guarantee the supply of food and medicine.
"We cannot allow this situation to continue with impunity," he added.
Today's report was released as the Israeli army advanced on Gaza City as part of a new initiative to capture the enclave's largest city in order to destroy the remnants of the Palestinian extremist group "Hamas".
The latest campaign has raised fears of further civilian suffering, while aid agencies warn of catastrophic shortages of food.
Israel imposed a near-total blockade on humanitarian aid earlier this year. Facing international criticism, it partially lifted the blockade earlier this month, allowing trucks with a limited amount of aid to enter the Gaza Strip, although aid agencies said the amount was not enough to prevent starvation.
Guterres also reiterated his call for an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, the release of hostages and full access for the Palestinian population to humanitarian aid.