UN, relief groups warn of starvation conditions in Gaza; Israel says Hamas steals aid | State

The United Nations relief chief and international relief groups want Israel to relent its blockade of aid into Gaza warning of starvation conditions in the war-torn Palestinian area.

On the other side, Israel says Hamas steals aid, imbeds inside hospitals and civilian centers and some Palestinian and other relief groups align with the Islamist militant which sparked the war with the Oct. 7, 2023 attacks.

Hamas is still holding an estimated 24 living hostages taken during the 2023 attacks that sparked the war. Five of those hostages have dual Israeli-American citizenship.

Tom Fletcher, the UNUN under-secretary-general for humanitarian affairs and emergency relief coordinator, said the situation in Gaza is dire and poised to get worse especially for children and the vulnerable.

 “Two months ago, the Israeli authorities took a deliberate decision to block all aid to Gaza, and halt our efforts to save survivors of their military offensive. They have been bracingly honest that this policy is to pressurize Hamas,” Fletcher said in a May 1 statement.

He called for a release of Israeli hostages.

“But international law is unequivocal: As the occupying power, Israel must allow humanitarian support in. Aid, and the civilian lives it saves, should never be a bargaining chip,” Fletcher said.

“Blocking aid starves civilians. It leaves them without basic medical support. It strips them of dignity and hope. It inflicts a cruel collective punishment. Blocking aid kills,” he said.

Fletcher also called for those “who can reason” with Israel to counsel for more aid to be allowed into Gaza.

President Donald Trump voices strong backing for Israel and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. He also previously floated the idea of American control over Gaza and redeveloping it into an international economic development hub.

Other relief groups — who have been critical of Israel’s conduct of the Gaza war– are also issuing warnings.

“States, especially Israel’s allies, must act now and take concrete measures to pressure Israel into immediately lifting its total siege and allowing the unhindered entry of humanitarian aid and its safe distribution across all of Gaza. A sustained ceasefire is essential to ensure that can happen,” said Erika Guevara Rosas, Senior Director for Research, Advocacy, Policy, and Campaigns at Amnesty International. 

Israeli officials say it’s Hamas who steals aid and there are unsettling ties between some aid groups and Islamic militants.

“Israel is fighting Hamas, which steals humanitarian aid, uses it to rebuild its war machine, and hides behind civilians,” said Oren Marmorstein, a spokesman for the Israeli Foreign Ministry. 

“We categorically reject the claim of ‘politicization of humanitarian aid’.”

There has also been looting of aid trucks and warehouses by Palestinians. Israel Defense Forces (IDF) also continue to hit Hamas fighters with air strikes.

The Israel COGAT agency, which oversees aid into Gaza and the West Bank, also listed the Gaza hospitals where Hamas fighters have operated during the war.

“Hamas’s abuse of hospitals is a systematic pattern. Shifa Hospital was used by Hamas for terror purposes.Nasser Hospital was used by Hamas for terror purposes. Rantisi Hospital was used by Hamas for terror purposes,” COGAT said in a social media post.

“Kamal Adwan Hospital was used by Hamas for terror purposes. Al Amal Hospital was used by Hamas for terror purposes. Al Ahli Hospital was used by Hamas for terror purposes. Al Kuds Hospital was used by Hamas for terror purposes. Indonesian Hospital was used by Hamas for terror purposes.Turkish Hospital was used by Hamas for terror purposes.”

The Trump administration — including U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee — add that Hamas’ continued holding of hostages is the reason for the continued conflict.