UN Blasts Israel for Blocking Aid to Gaza, Warns of Famine

UN humanitarian chief Tom Fletcher has strongly condemned Israel for deliberately obstructing vital aid to Gaza, warning that the ongoing blockade poses an immediate threat of famine and could lead to a genocide. Fletcher highlighted that the blockade, which has now lasted over ten weeks, has emptied aid warehouses and severely reduced food distributions from the World Food Program, dropping from one million meals a day to just 250,000. He stressed that a quarter of Gaza’s population is at risk of starvation, despite the availability of food supplies in neighboring regions.

The United Nations has also criticized Israel’s proposed aid delivery plan, which involves private companies managing the distribution of aid in southern Gaza. Fletcher referred to the plan as a “fig leaf for further violence and displacement,” arguing that it politicizes humanitarian assistance and limits access to those who need it most. The UN, along with Secretary-General António Guterres, has opposed this approach, stressing the need for impartial and independent aid distribution to ensure it reaches all those in need, regardless of political concerns.

International responses to the situation remain divided, with some countries supporting Israel’s actions in the context of its right to defend itself, while others have condemned the escalating violence and called for a ceasefire. The humanitarian crisis in Gaza continues to worsen, with widespread destruction, displacement, and severe shortages of essential resources. The UN and other international organizations continue to demand unimpeded access to humanitarian aid and accountability for those responsible for the ongoing crisis.