Israel Challenges UN-backed Famine Report Amid Gaza Crisis
The Israeli government has strongly denied claims of famine in parts of the Gaza Strip, challenging a United Nations-backed report that suggests the region is experiencing severe food insecurity. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has labeled the report as an ‘outright lie,’ asserting that Israel has a policy of preventing starvation rather than causing it. The report, issued by the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC), a U.N.-backed initiative, declared that Gaza Governorate is currently facing a famine, with Deir al-Balah and Khan Younis in severe crisis. The report warns that by late September, famine conditions could expand further, threatening the lives of 641,000 people. The IPC also forecasts that 1.14 million people will be in emergency conditions, with 198,000 in crisis.
The IPC report recommends an immediate ceasefire, unfettered humanitarian access, and the protection of civilian infrastructure. It also calls for large-scale humanitarian assistance to address the dire situation. However, Israel has accused the report of being politically motivated, citing Hamas-run entities and UNRWA assessments as unreliable sources. Israeli Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Oren Marmorstein claimed the report’s findings were ‘tailor-made’ based on ‘Hamas lies’ and that the IPC ‘twisted its own rules’ to target Israel. Israel’s Coordination for Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT) criticized the report for excluding data from Jerusalem and relying on unverifiable sources.
The United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres condemned Israel’s actions, calling the situation a ‘man-made disaster’ and demanding an end to the humanitarian crisis. He emphasized the need for a ceasefire, guaranteed humanitarian access, and the return of hostages, with the UN bodies like the FAO, UNICEF, WFP, and WHO reiterating their calls for immediate aid and an end to hostilities. Meanwhile, some analysts, such as Richard Goldberg of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, have argued that the report’s findings are politically driven, highlighting the role of far-left NGOs and the U.N. in shaping these conclusions. The U.S. Ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, also endorsed Israel’s stance, stating that aid has been stolen by Hamas and not reached the hostages.