UN Condemns Hunger as Weapon, Highlights Gaza Crisis

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres emphasized the global imperative to reject the use of hunger as a weapon of war. Speaking at a UN conference in Ethiopia via video, he highlighted the spread of conflict-driven hunger, citing examples from Gaza to Sudan. He underscored that hunger destabilizes societies and undermines peace, and must never be accepted as a tool of conflict.

This warning follows concerns raised by multiple UN agencies regarding a worsening hunger crisis in Gaza, despite Israel's easing of aid entry into the besieged enclave. However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has denied the existence of starvation in Gaza.

Reports indicate that at least 43 Palestinians were killed across Gaza, including individuals seeking aid. Furthermore, the situation has worsened, with additional deaths attributed to malnutrition, including infants.

Tom Fletcher, the under-secretary-general for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, reported that a significant portion of the population in Gaza has gone without food for days. While acknowledging Israel's decision to support increased aid, he stressed the need for substantial aid to prevent famine and a health crisis.

The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East reported widespread malnutrition among children in Gaza City, with a rising death toll due to starvation. The agency stated its readiness to distribute aid and called for a long-term ceasefire to ensure a consistent supply of essential resources.

The World Food Programme reported having sufficient food resources to feed the entire population of Gaza for almost three months. Despite delivering a significant amount of food aid, the organization noted that this represented only a portion of the requested convoys. The WFP emphasized the need for more food assistance to meet the monthly requirements of the population.

Israel's Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories reported the entry and distribution of aid trucks. They emphasized the need for consistent collection and distribution by UN agencies and international organizations to ensure aid reaches those in need.

Ahead of a conference in New York, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights urged governments to take concrete action to pressure the Israeli government to end the violence in Gaza. He warned that countries failing to use their influence may be complicit in international crimes.