The United Nations on Friday officially declared a famine in Gaza, the first time it has done so in the Middle East, with experts warning 500,000 people face "catastrophic" hunger.The IPC said it was "the first time a famine has been officially confirmed in the Middle East region".

Despite outrage from its allies, the White House has not commented on a report that found famine in Gaza. Analysts say that without U.S. pressure, Israel’s war will not likely change course.

A global hunger monitor has confirmed famine in parts of the Gaza Strip for the first time. The UN rights chief said starving Gaza could be a war crime, while Israel's PM called the report "an outright lie.