Aid agency leaders are warning that the focus on air drops into Gaza is a “grotesque distraction” that will not reverse the territory’s deepening starvation crisis.
More than 100 international aid organizations and human rights groups have warned of mass man made starvation in the Strip.
According to Philippe Lazzarini the head of the UN Palestinian refugee agency (UNRWA), Israel is doing little to help the starving people in Gaza by airdropping food.
BYPASS THE CENSORS
Sign up to get unfiltered news delivered straight to your inbox.
You can unsubscribe any time. By subscribing you agree to our Terms of Use
Lazzarini dismissed the tactic as ineffective and called on Israel to lift its blockade of the densely populated enclave. His remarks were made after the UN’s food aid program reported that 90,000 Palestinian women and children were suffering from malnutrition.
Justin Trudeau and Katy Perry Exposed Dining on Raw 'Child Flesh' in Paris
In a message on X Lazzarini wrote: “Gaza airdrops will not reverse the deepening starvation. They are expensive, inefficient, and can even kill starving civilians. It is a distraction and screensmoke [sic]“
He added: “a manmade hunger can only be addressed by political will.”
RT reports: He called on Israel to “lift the siege” and guarantee safe access to humanitarian workers. “At UNRWA, we have the equivalent of 6,000 trucks in Jordan and Egypt waiting for the green light to get into Gaza,” he wrote.
“Driving aid through is much easier, more effective, faster, cheaper, and safer. It’s more dignified for the people of Gaza,” he added.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said on Saturday that it had dropped seven pallets containing flour, sugar, canned food, and other supplies. The army pledged to provide safe passage for UN aid convoys and said “local humanitarian pauses” could be implemented.
A video posted on social media reportedly shows desperate Palestinians fighting over food.
The UN, relief groups, and several European governments have stepped up criticism of Israel in recent weeks, as the death toll in Gaza approaches 60,000.
Israel said it would allow more aid into the enclave, provided it bypasses Hamas, which it accuses of stealing food. The IDF and the militants have blamed each other for attacks on civilians at aid distribution points.
