The United Nations’ top humanitarian official has accused Israel of deliberately imposing inhumane conditions on civilians in the Occupied Palestinian Territory.

The statement was made during an emergency UN Security Council meeting to address the worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, Tom Fletcher, told the Council that the situation in Gaza has reached catastrophic levels due to continued Israeli blockades, forced displacement, and attacks on civilian infrastructure.

Fletcher says, “Israel is deliberately and unashamedly imposing inhumane conditions on civilians in the Occupied Palestinian Territory. Every single one of the 2.1 million Palestinians in the Gaza Strip faces the risk of famine. One in five faces starvation, despite the fact that you have funded the food that could save them. The few hospitals that have somehow survived bombardment are overwhelmed. The medics who have somehow survived drone and sniper attacks cannot keep up with the trauma and the spread of disease. Even today, the European Gaza Hospital in Khan Younis was bombed, again, with even more civilian casualties reported.”

This comes a day after the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) issued a warning that the entire population of Gaza is at critical risk of famine. The IPC reported that nearly 250,000 people, or 12% of the population, are experiencing Phase 5 conditions, classified as catastrophic food insecurity.

The IPC also noted that the current situation marks a deterioration from previous reports and said that a temporary improvement in food access during a ceasefire had been reversed by the ongoing blockade.

VIDEO | Israel imposing inhumane conditions on civilians in the Palestinian Territory: UN


UN Secretary-General António Guterres also raised concerns through his spokesperson, Stéphane Dujarric, particularly about the impact on children.

Dujarric says, “The way to address this crisis should be clear, and we have been very clear on that front: open up Gaza so that aid and other essential supplies can reach everyone who needs them, wherever they are.”

Five UN Security Council members—France, the United Kingdom, Denmark, Greece, and Slovenia—issued a joint statement criticising the use of humanitarian aid as a negotiating tool. The statement called on Israel to lift restrictions and allow unimpeded access to humanitarian assistance.

UK Ambassador Barbara Woodward says, “Humanitarian aid must never be used as a political tool or a military tactic. International law requires Israel to allow and facilitate the safe, rapid and unimpeded passage of humanitarian aid and ensure that basic services are provided for all Gazan civilians. This applies to all armed conflicts around the world. Gaza is not an exception.”

Fletcher warns of a systematic dismantling of Palestinian life and references historical failures by the international community to act during major human rights violations.

“The ICJ is considering whether a genocide is taking place in Gaza. It will weigh the testimony we have shared. But it will be too late. Recognizing the urgency, the International Court of Justice has indicated clear provisional measures that must be implemented now, yet they have not,” says Fletcher.

Meanwhile, ceasefire and hostage negotiations are ongoing in Doha, Qatar. Hamas released Israeli-American hostage Edan Alexander this week as a goodwill gesture to the United States. However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has reiterated that the war will continue until Hamas is fully defeated.