A joint statement from all United Nations Security Council members except the United States says the famine in Gaza is a “manmade crisis” and calls 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,” the statement reads. “Time is of the essence. The humanitarian emergency must be addressed without delay and Israel must reverse course.”
It warns that the use of starvation as a weapon of war is banned under international humanitarian law. Israel denies deliberately starving Gazans.
At a Security Council meeting earlier, acting US Ambassador to the UN Dorothy Shea questioned the credibility and integrity of a report finding that Gaza is suffering a famine, saying it “doesn’t pass the test on either.”
“We all recognize 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.
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