A United Nations-backed body declared a famine in Gaza for the first time since the Israel-Hamas war broke out almost two years ago, a finding likely to intensify international calls for a ceasefire and accelerated delivery of aid.

Israel has called the United Nations' declaration of famine in parts of Gaza an "outright lie," but multiple U.N. bodies, more than 100 humanitarian groups, and several of Israel's own allies have warned for months that the war and Israel's restrictions of food into Gaza are causing starvation among civilians.

This week, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced that Israel had accepted a U.S.-backed proposal for a ceasefire.

As famine has descended on Gaza, hundreds of Palestinian Americans have gathered on a WhatsApp group chat to make desperate pleas on behalf of relatives and friends in the enclave, many trapped and starving.

Fifty-one Palestinians, including nine aid-seekers, have been martyred in relentless Israeli attacks across Gaza. Martyrdom toll of Palestinians in Israeli aggression on besieged Gaza since October 2023 has risen to over sixty two thousand and six hundred.

As the UN is declaring famine in Gaza City, Gazans tell The Media Line that Hamas is responsible for the lack of food. The UN is preparing a declaration of famine in Gaza City, holding Israel responsible for the humanitarian crisis under its revised criteria,