By Sama Marwan,
A leading global food crisis monitoring organization withdrew a new report this week that warned of an imminent famine in northern Gaza due to what it described as an “almost complete Israeli blockade.” The withdrawal followed a request from the United States, according to American officials cited by the Associated Press.
The Biden administration’s rare public challenge to the U.S.-funded Famine Early Warning Systems Network (FEWS NET)—intended to provide data-driven analysis from neutral experts—has drawn accusations of potential political interference. Critics argue that acknowledging a famine would be a direct rebuke to Israel, a close U.S. ally, which has maintained that its 15-month campaign in Gaza targets Hamas, not civilians.
U.S. and Israeli Reactions
Earlier this week, U.S. Ambassador to Israel Jacob Lew described the international group’s warning as inaccurate and “irresponsible.” Both Lew and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), which funds FEWS NET, argued that the findings failed to account for the rapidly changing conditions in northern Gaza.
Neither the U.S. Embassy in Israel nor the State Department commented on the matter. FEWS NET confirmed on Thursday that it had withdrawn its famine warning and announced plans to reissue an updated report in January with revised data and analyses.
“We are working around the clock with the UN and our Israeli partners to address the significant humanitarian needs,” Ambassador Lew said. “Relying on inaccurate data is irresponsible.”
Famine Warning Controversy
USAID acknowledged to the Associated Press that it had requested the withdrawal of the escalating famine warning, originally published on Monday. The withdrawn report warned that unless Israel changed its policies, famine-related deaths in northern Gaza could reach between two and 15 per day from January to March. The internationally recognized threshold for famine is at least two deaths per 10,000 people daily.
Background on FEWS NET
FEWS NET, established by USAID in the 1980s and still funded by the agency, is tasked with providing independent, neutral, and data-based assessments of hunger crises, including in conflict zones. Its findings guide decisions on humanitarian aid by the U.S. and other governments and agencies worldwide.
