The international community, excluding the United States, declared the crisis of famine in Gaza as a manmade situation and emphasized that the deliberate use of starvation as a tactic of war is prohibited by international humanitarian laws.
In a collective statement, 14 members of the United Nations Security Council urged for an immediate, unconditional, and enduring ceasefire, the liberation of all captives held by Hamas and other factions, a significant increase in aid to Gaza, and demanded that Israel promptly and unconditionally remove all barriers to aid distribution.
“Immediate action is crucial to halt the famine in Gaza,” the members stressed. “Urgent steps must be taken to address the humanitarian crisis without delay, and Israel must change its course.”
Official reports confirm that Gaza City and its neighboring regions are facing a severe famine, with projections indicating a potential escalation. The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification system disclosed that 514,000 individuals, representing approximately 25% of the Gaza population, are currently in a state of famine, a figure expected to reach 641,000 by the conclusion of September, as reported by Reuters.
During a UN Security Council session focused on Gaza, acting US Ambassador to the UN Dorothy Shea cast doubts on the credibility and accuracy of the IPC report, stating that it lacks reliability and trustworthiness.
“While acknowledging the pressing issue of hunger in Gaza and the significant humanitarian requirements that need attention, the United States is committed to addressing these needs as a primary concern,” she affirmed to the council members.
Recent reports from the Palestinian Prisoners’ Media Office (ASRA) revealed that Israeli forces conducted a series of arrests in the occupied West Bank since early yesterday, targeting journalists, activists advocating for reform, and former detainees through intense search operations and home incursions.