All UN Security Council members, except US, say famine in Gaza is ‘man-made crisis’
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United States Ambassador to the United Nations Dorothy Shea addressing a meeting of the UN Security Council on Aug 27.
PHOTO: REUTERS
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- UN Security Council members, excluding the US, call Gaza famine "manmade," citing starvation as a war weapon prohibited by humanitarian law.
- 14 council members demand an immediate ceasefire, hostage release, increased aid to Gaza, and Israel to lift aid delivery restrictions.
- The IPC reports 514,000 Gazans face famine, expected to rise to 641,000 by September; US questions the report's credibility.
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UNITED NATIONS - All United Nations Security Council members, except the United States, on Wednesday said the famine in Gaza was a “manmade crisis” and warned that the use of starvation as a weapon of war is banned under international humanitarian law.
In a joint statement, the 14 council members called for an immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire, the release of all hostages held by Hamas and other groups, a substantive surge of aid throughout Gaza, and for Israel to immediately and unconditionally lift all restrictions on aid delivery.
“Famine in Gaza must be stopped immediately,” they said.
“Time is of the essence. The humanitarian emergency must be addressed without delay and Israel must reverse course.”
Gaza City and surrounding areas are officially suffering from famine, and it will likely spread, a global hunger monitor determined
The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) system said 514,000 people - nearly a quarter of Palestinians in Gaza - are experiencing famine and that is due to rise to 641,000 by the end of September.
Israel asked the global hunger monitor on Aug 27 to retract an assessment.
At a UN Security Council meeting on Gaza on Aug 27, acting US Ambassador to the UN Dorothy Shea questioned the credibility and integrity of the IPC report, saying it “doesn’t pass the test on either”.
“We all recognise that hunger is a real issue in Gaza and that there are significant humanitarian needs which must be met. Addressing those needs is a priority for the United States,” she told the 15-member council. REUTERS
