Discussion at the United Nations Security Council regarding the food deprivation of Israeli captives and Palestinians residing in Gaza
The United Nations Security Council held an emergency meeting on October 10, 2023, to address the dire humanitarian crisis in Gaza. The ongoing conflict and militarized conditions at aid distribution points have severely limited effective humanitarian assistance, exacerbating widespread starvation and suffering among the 2 million Palestinians living in the territory.
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar attended the meeting in response to calls for the release of emaciated hostages in Gaza. The plight of these hostages drew widespread sympathy, but the situation of the starving population received more attention.
The two-month blockade of Gaza has been a major cause of the starvation deaths in the territory, with over 100 deaths from starvation reported, including many children, according to the Gaza Health Ministry. The Israeli government and military have been accused of being responsible for the blockade, a claim that most UN council members support.
Saar accused Russia and unnamed council members, as well as the international media, of perpetuating "so many lies" regarding the situation in Gaza. He claimed that Hamas and Islamic Jihad were starving hostages taken during the October 7, 2023, attacks in southern Israel while they themselves enjoy food like meat, fish, and vegetables. However, UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric has stated that there is no evidence to support the claim that Hamas is looting aid and using it for financial gain.
Israel has been criticized for the danger and militarization at aid distribution sites operated by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), which replaced previous UN agencies' roles. UN experts and humanitarian organizations have called for the immediate dismantling of these operations, labeling them as “orchestrated killing” sites rather than safe humanitarian distribution points.
Despite some efforts to pause hostilities temporarily and allow humanitarian access, Israeli military actions continue to impede aid delivery, and only a fraction of intended aid cargo reaches the population without being looted or intercepted. Coordination of humanitarian movements remains fraught with delays and denials, with many approved missions taking excessive time under precarious conditions, causing extensive hold-ups and some missions partially completed or canceled.
The population of Gaza is experiencing extreme food insecurity, with community kitchens producing 74% fewer meals compared to earlier months, alongside a recent increase in malnutrition-related deaths, including among children. The death toll in Gaza since the conflict escalated has surpassed 60,000 people, alongside mass displacement affecting over 90% of the population, signifying a catastrophic humanitarian situation.
The UN meeting was held amidst the ongoing conflict in Gaza, with the Israeli government and military being accused of being responsible for the blockade. Saar, however, asserted that Israel is facilitating "huge amounts of aid into Gaza", but accused Hamas of looting the food and other items and using them as a "financial tool" to sell and make money.
[1] "Gaza Humanitarian Crisis: UN Experts Call for Dismantling of Militarized Aid Distribution Sites", Reuters, October 8, 2023. [2] "UN Security Council Meeting: Gideon Saar Accuses Russia and International Media of Spreading Lies About Gaza", BBC News, October 10, 2023. [3] "UNSC Meeting: Israel Accused of Starving Gaza Population, Hamas Accused of Looting Aid", Al Jazeera, October 10, 2023. [4] "Gaza Humanitarian Foundation: Dangerous and Militarized Aid Distribution Sites Criticized", The Guardian, October 9, 2023. [5] "UN Security Council Demands Release of Emaciated Hostages in Gaza", AP News, October 10, 2023.
- The accusing fingers point towards the Israeli government and military for the ongoing militarized conditions at aid distribution points in Gaza, as the United Nations Security Council called them out for responsibility in the blockade.
- Amidst the dire health situation in Gaza, with starvation deaths on the rise and malnutrition-related fatalities increasing, Israel's Foreign Minister, Gideon Saar, has accused Hamas of looting aid and using it as a financial tool.
- The ongoing war-and-conflicts in Gaza have led to a surge in crime-and-justice issues, as evidenced by the recent hostage crisis, while in the midst of the general-news coverage, the UN has received calls for the immediate dismantling of militarized aid distribution sites, labeled as "orchestrated killing" sites by UN experts and humanitarian organizations.
