UN Official Accuses Israel of Forced Starvation in Gaza, a Potential War Crime

UN Official: Gaza Faces Forced Starvation by Israel

A high-ranking UN humanitarian official has accused Israel of imposing forced starvation on the population of Gaza, a situation he believes could constitute a war crime. Tom Fletcher, in an interview with the BBC, suggested that this assessment has led to a significant change in the international community's stance on the Gaza conflict.

Concerns and Criticisms

Mr. Fletcher acknowledged and expressed regret for previous statements regarding the potential deaths of infants due to aid blockades, highlighting the critical need for precise language in such sensitive situations. While Israel has recently eased its blockade, allowing limited aid into Gaza, chaotic scenes have been reported at aid distribution centers.

Fletcher criticized the obstruction of humanitarian aid, noting reports of food supplies being held at the border while the Gazan population faces starvation. He further raised concerns about potential forced displacement and echoed calls for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to disavow statements by Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich that implied Gazans should be encouraged to leave.

Growing International Pressure

Israel is facing increasing international criticism regarding its actions in Gaza. The EU and other nations have expressed serious concerns. Fletcher previously called for the UN Security Council to intervene to prevent genocide in Gaza, citing reports of forced displacement, starvation, torture, and mass casualties. He urged Hamas to release the hostages and acknowledged that the conflict's aims seem to have evolved beyond simply securing the release of those hostages. Fletcher emphasized that Hamas has no place in the future governance of Gaza and the Palestinian territories and that the UN's goal is to get aid to civilians rather than to Hamas.

Global Crisis

Amid concurrent crises in Ukraine, Sudan, and Syria, Fletcher warned of a profoundly dangerous global landscape, pointing to a polarized UN Security Council that is hindering conflict resolution and prolonging human suffering.