Famine Imminent in Gaza, Humanitarian Officials Tell Security Council, Calling for Immediate Ceasefire
Delegates Say Bakeries, Farms Destroyed, Children Eating Animal Fodder
Three senior United Nations officials warned the Security Council today of imminent famine in the Gaza Strip, urging immediate action to avert humanitarian disaster in a territory where many Council members alleged the use of hunger as a weapon of war.
“Unfortunately, as grim as the picture we see today is, there is every possibility for further deterioration,” observed Ramesh Rajasingham, Director of Coordination at the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. At least 576,000 people in Gaza – one-quarter of the population – are “one step away from famine”, he reported, adding that food-security experts warn of complete agricultural collapse in northern Gaza by May if conditions persist. Further, practically the entire population of the Strip is left to rely on woefully inadequate humanitarian food assistance to survive.
He went on to stress, however, that the humanitarian community faces overwhelming obstacles just to get a “bare minimum of supplies” into the Strip – “let alone mounting the multisectoral response that would be required to avert a famine”. Moreover, he stressed that – “without a doubt” – very little will be possible while hostilities continue. Calling for a ceasefire, he said: “If nothing is done, we fear widespread famine in Gaza is almost inevitable.”
Also briefing the Council on food insecurity in Gaza was Maurizio Martina, Deputy Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), who said that the risk of famine increases daily there. Gaza’s entire population is estimated to be in “crisis” or worse, he emphasized – the highest percentage of people experiencing such acute food insecurity under this classification. “The entire food supply chain has been affected in different ways,” he deplored, urging the reopening of border crossings and calling for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire.
“If nothing changes, a famine is imminent in northern Gaza,” warned Carl Skau, Deputy Executive Director of the World Food Programme (WFP), stating: “We must all live up to our responsibilities to ensure it does not happen on our watch.” However, without safe and greatly expanded access, aid workers cannot mount a relief operation at the scale required to reverse the severe humanitarian crisis in the Strip. On that, he reported that WFP was forced to pause deliveries of food to northern Gaza. “We have a duty to protect our staff,” he emphasized.
In the ensuing discussion, Council members expressed concern over worsening food insecurity in the Gaza Strip, with many characterizing the situation there as the use of starvation as a method of warfare. While members urged Israel to fulfil its obligations, most called on the Council to immediately act to prevent famine and save lives.
One such member was Algeria’s representative, who called for a humanitarian ceasefire while highlighting the link between food security and dignity. Parents are using animal fodder to satisfy their children's hunger. The deliberate use of starvation is a blatant violation of international law, he underscored, adding that the Council’s silence has become a license to kill and starve the Palestinian population.
“Is there still any doubt about the gravity of the situation facing the Palestinian population?” asked Ecuador’s representative, calling for full implementation of resolutions 2712 (2023) and 2720 (2023) and a humanitarian ceasefire. He also underlined the importance of respecting the international-law prohibition against the use of hunger as a war tactic.
China’s representative, for his part, called on Israel to guarantee the safety of humanitarian agencies and personnel and to facilitate their deliveries in Gaza. Adding his voice to those calling for an immediate ceasefire to alleviate humanitarian disaster, he expressed hope that the “relevant country” will support Council action towards this end.
Promoting food security is a long-standing priority for the United States, said that country’s representative, as he urged Israel to keep border crossings open for humanitarian aid. He also reported that Washington, D.C., has worked with Egypt and Israel to open the Rafah crossing and has provided over $180 million to humanitarian organizations delivering assistance — including food to Gaza and the West Bank.
Israel’s representative emphasized that not one person in the Council wishes any child to go hungry — “and this is precisely Israel’s stance while combating Hamas”. Noting that his country is going above and beyond what is expected — let alone required — to care for civilians, he said that, since Hamas’ barbaric attack on 7 October, Israel has facilitated the delivery of 254,000 tons of aid. Further, it has been clear that there is no limit to the amount that can be sent.
“After bombing nearly every bakery and farm, destroying livestock and all means of food production, and its closure of nearly all crossing points, the occupier claims that it is allowing humanitarian aid to enter Gaza,” said the observer for the State of Palestine. However, Israel only allows minimal aid into Gaza as it continues with its genocidal crimes, including that of using starvation as a method of war. He stressed that allowing this to happen “brings shame on all of us, not least this Security Council”.
Briefings
RAMESH RAJASINGHAM, Director of Coordination at the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, reporting on the grave situation in Gaza, said that currently at least 576,000 people there — one quarter of the population — are “one step away from famine”. One in six children under 2 years old in northern Gaza suffer from acute malnutrition and wasting, and practically the entire population of the Strip is left to rely on woefully inadequate humanitarian food assistance to survive. Nevertheless, he observed: “Unfortunately, as grim as the picture we see today is, there is every possibility for further deterioration.” Military operations, insecurity and extensive restrictions on the entry and delivery of essential goods have decimated food production and agriculture, and food-security experts warn of complete agricultural collapse in northern Gaza by May if conditions persist.
“The hostilities and shortages of essential supplies, including electricity, fuel and water, have left food production at a virtual standstill,” he said, noting that the five mills operating in Gaza prior to 7 October ceased operations as far back as November 2023. Further, heavy damage to water infrastructure from fighting and the severing of power and fuel supplies in October have significantly affected access to water that is essential for food production. Fishing — long an important source of nutrition and income in Gaza — has been practically impossible since 7 October when sea access for boats was prohibited. Additionally, a lack of fodder and water, as well as fighting, has claimed the lives of livestock, removing yet another important source of food and income. He also pointed out that the commercial sector — a key part of the food distribution network — has been crippled by a lack of local produce and extensive restrictions on commercial imports.
He emphasized that hunger and the risk of famine are exacerbated by factors that go beyond just the availability of food. Inadequate water, sanitation and health services create a cycle of vulnerability, where malnourished people — especially among the tens of thousands injured — become more susceptible to disease that further depletes the body’s nutritional reserves. “Add chronic overcrowding, exposure to the cold and an absence of adequate shelter to this lack of nutrition, and you have created the conditions for massive disease epidemics,” he underscored. While emphasizing that humanitarian food assistance is now nearly the sole source of sustenance for people in Gaza, he stated that the humanitarian community is facing overwhelming obstacles just to get a “bare minimum of supplies” into the Strip — “let alone mounting the multisectoral response that would be required to avert a famine”.
On that, he reported that efforts continue to be hindered by crossing closures, serious movement restrictions, access denials, onerous vetting procedures, incidents involving desperate civilians, protests and a breakdown in law and order, restrictions on communications and protective equipment and supply routes rendered impassable by damaged roads and unexploded ordnance. Further, the suspension of funding to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) challenges the UN’s capacity to mount an effective response. Pointing out that an estimated 1.7 million people — over three quarters of Gaza’s population — reside in shelters run by the Agency and others, he said UNRWA’s operations in the region will be seriously compromised from March. Moreover, he stressed that — “without a doubt” — very little will be possible while hostilities continue. Calling for a ceasefire, he said: “If nothing is done, we fear widespread famine in Gaza is almost inevitable.”
MAURIZIO MARTINA, Deputy Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), highlighting the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification analysis released in December that detailed the acute food insecurity in Gaza, noted that 378,000 people were estimated to be experiencing “catastrophe” — the most severe phase of acute food insecurity, marked by starvation, critical levels of acute malnutrition and high levels of excess mortality. The risk of famine increases daily, he said, noting that the entire population of about 2.2 million people is estimated to be in “crisis” or worse, the highest percentage of people experiencing such acute food insecurity under this classification. Since 9 October, Israel's reinforced blockade of the Gaza Strip has included stopping or restricting food, electricity and fuel supplies as well as commercial goods. “The entire food supply chain has been affected in different ways,” he deplored.
He added that around 97 per cent of the ground water in Gaza is reportedly unfit for human consumption. Before the current conflict, Gaza’s food production allowed self-sufficiency in most fruits and vegetables, but the conflict has severely disrupted this: 339 hectares of greenhouses have been destroyed, most severely in Gaza City, North Gaza and Khan Younis. Moreover, the harvest of olives and citrus fruits, which provides an important source of income, has been heavily impacted by the hostilities. It is crucial to restore safe and sustained humanitarian access throughout the Gaza Strip and to all those in need of lifesaving assistance, he said. Border crossings should be reopened, including for commercial traffic, and essential commodities must be allowed to move into and throughout Gaza, he underscored, calling for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire.
CARL SKAU, Deputy Executive Director of the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP), said that the Famine Review Committee has warned of a real prospect of famine by May, with 500,000 people at risk. WFP is ready to swiftly expand and scale up its operations if there is a ceasefire agreement. The risk of famine is being fuelled by the inability to bring critical food supplies into Gaza in sufficient quantities, and “the almost impossible” operating conditions for its staff on the ground. On 18 February, WFP resumed deliveries to the north for the first time in three weeks. However, he continued, on 18 and 19 February, WFP’s convoys faced significant problems, including delays at checkpoints; gunfire and other violence; and looting of food along the way and at their destination. They were overwhelmed by desperately hungry people. As a result, the organization has been forced to pause deliveries of food to the north. “This is not a decision WFP has taken lightly, as we know it means conditions will worsen, and more people will be at risk of dying from hunger-related causes,” he stressed. “We have a duty to protect our staff.” WFP is urgently exploring all viable delivery options to allow the resumption of operations in northern Gaza.
Immediate action is required to enable a huge increase in the volume of food and other humanitarian supplies going into northern Gaza, he said, adding that this is the only way to calm tensions and restore some semblance of civil order. To this end, a safe and functioning operating environment for humanitarian staff is paramount. Additionally, the port of Ashdod and the Karni crossing must be open. He also underlined the need for a working humanitarian notification system and a stable communications network to keep humanitarian staff safe. “If nothing changes, a famine is imminent in northern Gaza,” he warned, stating: “We must all live up to our responsibilities to ensure it does not happen on our watch.” In the south of Gaza, WFP and partners are on the ground, delivering food as it comes to shelters, make-shift camps and shops. However, most food is distributed in Rafah — the hub for WFP’s current operations in Gaza — and very little assistance reaches people elsewhere. Without safe and greatly expanded access, aid workers cannot mount a relief operation at the scale required to reverse the severe humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Averting famine requires much more than just food supplies. Basic services must also be restored, including health services, electricity networks, and water and sanitation pipelines. UNWRA is the only organization able to oversee and manage this vital infrastructure in Gaza, he emphasized.
Statements
The representative of Guyana, Security Council President for February, speaking in her national capacity, stressed: “We could expect at least 115 deaths daily from starvation or disease,” should the situation worsen to that stage. The circumstances that have led to the current situation are pegged to one factor: the continued blatant disregard for international law, with violations including bombardment of civilian infrastructure, destruction of indispensable civilian objects, blockade and siege. Warning that the planned military ground operation in the south will further worsen an already desperate situation, she called on the Council to stop the blatant violations being committed by a Member State. Those with influence on the perpetrators should urge their full compliance with international law, she added.
The representative of Switzerland said that escalating hostilities and resulting food insecurity in Gaza have exacerbated an already-worrying situation of structural poverty resulting from restrictions on movement and humanitarian access imposed as part of the 16-year closure of the Strip. Recalling the 26 January order of the International Court of Justice, he stated that Israel must take immediate and effective measures to enable the provision of urgent aid to Palestinians in Gaza. Additionally, commercial food supplies must be guaranteed so that local markets can be re-established. Emphasizing that humanitarian aid alone cannot meet the needs of more than 2 million people, he said that access to fuel and cash must also be facilitated, and children, women and vulnerable groups must be protected by responding to their specific needs. Calling on the Council to urgently act to prevent famine and save lives, he added: “There must be an immediate humanitarian ceasefire.”
The representative of Algeria pointed to the linkage between food security and dignity, calling for a ceasefire. About 90 per cent of children under five are dealing with one or more diseases while enduring extremely poor diets. “Waiting until this percentage reaches 100 is not an option,” he asserted. Highlighting the suffering of pregnant women, lactating mothers and the elderly, he added that people in Gaza face the harrowing dilemma of perishing immediately in bombings or enduring an agonizing starvation-induced death. With WFP suspending deliveries to northern Gaza due to safety concerns for both distributors and recipients, parents are using animal fodder to satisfy their children's hunger. The deliberate use of starvation is a blatant violation of international law. Council resolutions 2712 (2023) and 2720 (2023) are proving ineffective on the ground, he said, adding that the Council’s silence has become a license to kill and starve the Palestinian population.
The representative of Slovenia said that Gaza’s entire population is facing the highest share of acute food insecurity ever classified worldwide. Voicing concern over the distressing evidence for the conflict-induced hunger and risk of famine, he reiterated that international humanitarian law prohibits attacks on objects indispensable to the survival of civilians. It also strictly prohibits starvation as a method of warfare. Accordingly, he called for unhindered humanitarian access across Gaza by opening additional crossing points and simplifying entry procedures for humanitarian aid. He expressed regret that WFP was forced to suspend their deliveries to northern Gaza. He observed that UNRWA is the lifeline for the Palestinian people and the backbone of the humanitarian response in the enclave, citing Slovenia’s announcement of additional contribution to the Agency. However, “only a ceasefire (…) can guarantee the delivery of humanitarian aid without interruption, ensuring adequate, timely assistance”, he emphasized.
The representative of the United States affirmed that promoting food security is a long-standing American priority, including in Gaza, urging Israel to keep border crossings open for humanitarian aid. Expressing profound concern for the well-being of the more than 1 million Palestinian civilians in Rafah, he stressed that “it is unconscionable that Hamas fighters continue to embed themselves among civilians and civilian infrastructure”. A major ground offensive should not proceed there under current circumstances. The United States has worked tirelessly with Egypt and Israel to open the crossing at Rafah and provided over $180 million to humanitarian organizations delivering assistance, including food to Gaza and the West Bank. Calling for the protection of UN and humanitarian workers, he urged Israel to ensure aid can move safely and securely.
The representative of China called on Israel to fulfil its obligations as an occupying Power; implement relevant Council resolutions; open all sea, land and air access routes; and ensure the safe, unimpeded entry of humanitarian supplies into Gaza. Further, Israel must guarantee the safety of humanitarian agencies and personnel and facilitate their deliveries in Gaza. He also stated that UNRWA is a “lifeline” for the people there, underscoring its “indispensable and irreplaceable” role. While expressing support for an independent, impartial UN investigation into allegations against certain Agency staff, he called on the international community to continue supporting UNRWA and other humanitarian agencies. Major donors should promptly resume funding the Agency. Adding that an immediate ceasefire is necessary to protect civilians, deliver assistance and alleviate humanitarian disaster, he expressed hope that the “relevant country” will support Council action towards this end.
The representative of Ecuador asked: “Is there still any doubt about the gravity of the situation facing the Gaza population?” Highlighting the collapse of local production, the severe restrictions on water supplies, destruction of civilian infrastructure and paralysis of the commercial sector, he expressed alarm that almost the entire population finds itself at a level of food insecurity that FAO describes as unprecedented. Calling for the full implementation of Council resolutions 2712 (2023) and 2720 (2023), he said a humanitarian ceasefire is indispensable. Preventing famines and food crises means that the parties need to respect their obligations under international humanitarian law, he said, highlighting the importance of respecting the principles of distinction and proportionality as well as the prohibition on the use of hunger as a war tactic.
The representative of France said that the humanitarian situation in Gaza is beyond comprehension, and the human toll is intolerable. He called for the full implementation of resolution 2417 (2018), which condemned for the first time the use of famine as a weapon of war, the denial of humanitarian access and the deprivation of civilians of goods essential to their survival. All actors — including Israel — must comply with international humanitarian law, he said, underscoring the need to deliver humanitarian assistance to the civilian population of Gaza, including in the north. To this end, Israel must open the port of Ashdod and all necessary crossing points. France will continue to support the humanitarian response in Gaza, he said, adding that, together with Jordan, it delivered a new airdrop of humanitarian aid directly to the Strip and sent new humanitarian cargo to support Egyptian hospitals in treating the ill. He also rejected a ground offensive in Rafah, which would lead to another unprecedented humanitarian disaster.
The representative of the United Kingdom cited a desperate situation in Gaza that is worsening day-by-day, calling on all parties to the conflict to stop fighting immediately. She further urged Israel to allow more aid into Gaza — with thousands of trucks stuck in Egypt and Jordan, containing food, shelter and other essentials. “We need more crossings opened for longer, including Kerem-Shalom,” she stressed, with unencumbered access for aid from Jordan, the full opening of Ashdod Port, and increased speed and capacity of aid screening operations. Voicing concern that the World Food Programme (WFP) has had to suspend deliveries into northern Gaza, she emphasized that airdrops cannot substitute for land-based delivery. Calling on Israel to resume water and electricity supplies, she noted that commercial activity must also be restarted. Further, UN and humanitarian partners need greater protection and access to the tools needed to accomplish their mission.
The representative of the Republic of Korea, underscoring that intergenerational consequences of food insecurity in Gaza “are inevitable”, called for urgent, decisive measures. “Above all, we must ensure consistent and expanded entry of food aid through all available crossing points, as well as through a maritime corridor,” he stressed. Delivery of commercial goods into Gaza should also be ensured, and any hindrance to the delivery of life-saving assistance — such as Israeli protestors at the Kerem Shalom border crossing — is unacceptable. He also underlined the need to scale-up funding for humanitarian aid, reporting that his country has decided to increase its contribution to the Central Emergency Response Fund threefold in 2024. Seoul maintains its contribution to UNRWA, he added. Reiterating the call for a ceasefire, he stated that this is “the only viable way to ensure safe and unimpeded access to food for those who so desperately need it”.
The representative of Japan recalled that an aid worker for Save the Children in Gaza saw people eating animal food and tree leaves, and scavenging food that has already been eaten by rats. Highlighting his Government’s announcement of additional emergency aid to Gaza, he said all parties to the conflict must respect international humanitarian law, which clearly prohibits attacking, destroying, removing or rendering useless objects that are indispensable to the survival of the civilian population. These include food stuffs, agricultural areas, crops, livestock, drinking water installations and supplies, and irrigation works. Further, it is vital to allow more trucks and fuel to reach Gaza, he said, urging Israel to open additional border crossings and secure humanitarian corridors. Condemning the heinous acts of terror by Hamas and others on 7 October, he called for a humanitarian ceasefire.
The representative of Sierra Leone expressed deep concern that the ongoing violence in Gaza is hindering an effective humanitarian response to civilians in need. The 1.7 million internally displaced persons who cannot access or cultivate their land are deprived of enough food and water desperately needed for their survival. According to UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF), children in southern Gaza could only access 1.5 to 2 litres of water per day, a portion below the standard requirement for survival. With the collapse of the health system in Gaza, health conditions exacerbated by a lack of food and water could not be treated appropriately. The sight of children dying of hunger is “harrowing at best”, he said, urging the Council to use the myriad of tools available to address it. Calling for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire and adequate funding to UNRWA, he rejected any attempt to conduct military operations in Rafah.
The representative of Mozambique warned that the intensification and expansion of attacks in the Gaza Strip has been causing massive civilian deaths, millions of injuries and forced displacement, as well as the destruction of civilian infrastructure. The catastrophic situation on the ground calls for urgent and effective measures to minimize loss of life and uphold human dignity, he affirmed. The urgency of protecting civilians is heightened by the threat of an Israeli ground offensive in Rafah, where approximately 1.5 million people are seeking shelter. He called for global and effective measures to protect them and enable the provision of needed basic services and humanitarian assistance to address the adverse conditions of life faced by Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. “To this end, an immediate and urgent cessation of hostilities is crucial,” he stressed.
The representative of the Russian Federation, noting that “every fourth Gazan is a step away from death,” said it is difficult to acknowledge this occurs in 2024 and not the Middle Ages. There is no issue with the availability of assistance to Gaza; however, due to Israel’s stringent measures, only a minimal amount of assistance enters Gaza, and only in the south. Recalling that resolution 2720 (2023) was meant to drastically improve the humanitarian situation in Gaza, he pointed out that “weak wording” brought into the text by the United States hindered this goal. The only imperative must be to prevent mass starvation in Gaza through an immediate ceasefire, he stressed. However, all Council attempts towards this end have been blocked by the United States, who has used its veto four times for this purpose. By doing so, Washington, D.C., bears full responsibility for the unprecedented number of civilian victims in Gaza, he said, stating that the cost of such vetoes is 30,000 lives.
The representative of Malta, noting that nearly 600,000 people are on the brink of famine in Gaza, said this catastrophic level of food insecurity is the direct result of Israel’s military campaign and its inability to abide by its legal obligations to facilitate unimpeded delivery of humanitarian assistance. Calling for the reopening of Port Ashdod, she said further crossing points must be reopened immediately to allow adequate scaling up of aid. A permanent ceasefire is crucial, now more than ever, she said, noting that vast swathes of crucial arable land have been destroyed and agricultural infrastructure has suffered intense damage. Denouncing any forced displacement of Palestinians from their lands or homes, she expressed concern about public statements in Israel expressing the intent to deprive civilians in Gaza of food, water and fuel and underscored the vital role of UNRWA.
The representative of the United States, taking the floor for a second time, said that “the Russian Federation is a country that does not contribute to resolving humanitarian crises; it creates them”. The Ukrainian people must live under barbaric bombings and killings every single day, he said, noting that Moscow is in no position to criticize any country while it continues to violate the UN Charter.
The representative of the Russian Federation, speaking for a second time, stated that his United States counterpart “should be ashamed of comparing the situation in Ukraine to Gaza”. Moscow is not bombing the civilian population of Ukraine barbarically. Comparing the scale of the two situations is impossible. Further, he asked why there should be a lecture from the country that carpet-bombed and destroyed Iraq, Afghanistan, Syria and Yugoslavia. “Before you next try to see a mote in my eye, you should see the beam in yours,” he stated.
Taking the floor for a third time, the representative of the United States said he was not comparing the two situations; rather he was asking if the Russian Federation is not bombing Ukraine.
Responding, the representative of the Russian Federation said the Council must not become a stage for a duel between his country and the United States. Moscow is targeting military infrastructure in Ukraine, he said, proposing that they should stop now and continue sparring during meetings on Ukraine.
The Permanent Observer for the State of Palestine called for a humanitarian ceasefire as “an utmost priority” to stop the bloodshed and protect Palestinian civilians in Gaza, citing unprecedented casualties — more than 30,000 dead and 70,000 wounded. Food insecurity in Gaza has reached catastrophic levels, with over half a million people considered to be “one step away from famine”, he said, adding: “What it means for mothers and fathers to hear their babies and children cry of hunger day and night, no milk, no bread, nothing.” Condemning Israel’s calculated, sinister decisions to lay siege to Gaza, he said that “after bombing nearly every bakery and farm, destroying livestock and all means of food production, and its closure of nearly all crossing points, the occupier claims that it is allowing humanitarian aid to enter Gaza.” However, “it is only allowing a drip of aid into Gaza,” only to deflect international opprobrium and with no regard whatsoever for the survival of the population that it has made clear time and again that it wants to get rid of.
Israel — the architect of this human and humanitarian catastrophe — has completely ignored the order of the International Court of Justice and continues with its genocidal crimes, including the crime of starvation as a method of war, he pointed out. “That this catastrophic famine and genocide has been allowed to happen at all (…) brings shame on all of us, not least this Security Council,” he asserted. Israel’s use of starvation as a weapon of war goes hand in hand with its policies aimed at the forced transfer of Palestinians from their land. Its threatened invasion of Rafah heightens real fears in this regard. Additionally, he said that starving UNRWA of funds — based on the alleged, still-unproven acts of a few — means starving desperate Palestine refugees and displaced families in Gaza of the Agency’s life-saving aid.
The representative of Israel emphasized that not one person in the Council wishes any child to go hungry, “and this is precisely Israel’s stance while combating Hamas” — a terror group that adheres to no rules other than their intent to murder and terrorize Jews. Noting that the country is going above and beyond what is expected let alone required to care for civilians, he cited humanitarian aid moving through both the Rafah and Kerem Shalom crossings, with a delivery channel via Jordan. Since Hamas’ barbaric attack on 7 October, Israel has facilitated the delivery of 254,000 tons of aid, and has been clear that there is no limit to the amount that can be sent. Despite continued attacks by Hamas, 20 Gaza bakeries are fully operational through the entry of large quantities of flour, cooking gas and diesel fuel, producing over 2 million pita breads per day.
He emphasized that claims made by some briefers neglected to fully address the true obstacles to peace and stability, also propagating Hamas lies. Over 500 aid trucks have been waiting on the guardsmen side of Kerem Shalom and Rafah — and while Israel has already approved them, it is “libelously held responsible for a situation that is clearly the UN’s fault”. The conduct of the UN in the field must be streamlined; while it has also refused to deliver to northern Gaza. Further, aid diversion and theft and looting by Hamas have never been addressed in the Council, which is also long overdue in condemning “Hamas’ use of human shields and building of tunnels under civilian infrastructure”. “While humanitarian aid continues to enter Gaza, 134 hostages still have not come out” from Hamas’ dark terror tunnels, he stressed — yet they are hardly an afterthought. Israel is still waiting for the UN to dedicate a meeting to the protection of the hostages and will continue to demand their immediate and unconditional release.
The representative of Tunisia, speaking for the Arab Group, noted that after four months of genocide, with malnutrition and hunger spreading widely, Gaza’s population is forced to feed on animal feed and leaves. Hundreds of humanitarian aid trucks are stuck at checkpoints, unable to enter due to the occupation force’s action. Depriving the Palestinian people of all means of survival is a flagrant violation of international humanitarian law and human rights law, he said, adding that the Security Council and international community cannot remain silent before these war crimes. “The number of victims of the displaced and hungry are not just empty numbers that we are repeating meeting after meeting,” he said, underscoring that they represent indescribable suffering and constitute proof of the international community’s — specifically the Council’s — failure.
“I will not wonder as to when the Security Council will take action,” he added, highlighting the pointlessness of questions such as “how many Palestinians need to die” which are never answered. However, this suspicious silence is a source of shame and sets a tragic serious precedent. Stressing the need for unimpeded humanitarian assistance of sufficient quality and scale to put an end to the suffering of Gaza’s people, he also expressed support for the efforts of Senior Humanitarian and Reconstruction Coordinator for Gaza Sigrid Kaag. Reiterating the vital role of UNRWA, he opposed any attempts to expand the mandate of the Coordinator to the detriment of that Agency, whose mandate is clearly defined under Assembly resolution 302. Condemning the occupation authorities’ attempts to dismantle the Agency, he said that donor countries who have suspended their contributions to UNRWA must revisit that decision and take urgent measures to guarantee sufficient and lasting funding.
The representative of Pakistan said that Israeli forces have levelled Gaza cities and brazenly destroyed agricultural land and the fishing fleet there. Obstructing UNRWA’s mandate or defunding its operations will have further disastrous consequences for the traumatized Gazans and contribute to their collective punishment. Additionally, Israel is now preparing for a ground offensive on Rafah, which will further intensify the suffering of the Palestinians. Against this backdrop, he stressed the need to secure a complete and durable ceasefire without any conditions; implement and enforce the provisional measures ordered by the International Court of Justice; and halt the demonization of UNRWA. He pledged that Pakistan will work through the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, in cooperation with the Arab Group, to scale up humanitarian assistance to Gaza and explore additional options for alleviating the imminent famine situation.