Humanitarian workers and food security experts told ABC News that an official declaration may not matter. There are no legal obligations from countries or international organizations when a famine is determined, and it is merely a sign that the food insecurity in an area is the worst it can be.

The leading international authority on food crises predicted "widespread death" in Gaza without immediate action.

The IPC warns that Gaza is facing a worsening famine amid restricted humanitarian access and rising hunger-related deaths.