On August 22, United Nations agencies released a new Integrated Food Security Phase Classification, stating that more than half a million people in Gaza are trapped in famine, marked by widespread starvation, destitution and preventable deaths. This is the first time since the report was established over 20 years ago that a famine has been officially confirmed in the Middle East.

CGTN Stringer encountered local people holding a funeral for a man who died of famine and interviewed a Gaza refugee from the Nuseirat refugee camp, who had spent the entire morning in line for relief supplies for his children. "The economic situation we're in is hard. The crossings are closed. There's nothing we can do." He expressed hope that the situation would improve and the siege would end as soon as possible.