Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Palestinian Ministry of Health: Two were martyred in Israeli shelling that targeted a besieged house in the town of Qabatiya in Jenin
At least 68 dead in migrant shipwreck off Yemen: IOM
Trump: We want to feed the people in Gaza, we do not want them to starve.
US President Donald Trump: We will impose sanctions on Russia if it does not end the war on Ukraine.
Israeli media: Polls show that 52% oppose Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu while only 29% support him.
Israeli media: 32% of Americans still support "Israel's" war on Hamas, while 60% oppose it.
Israeli media: Core US support for "Israel" hits its lowest, while support for Palestine reaches its highest levels.
Al Mayadeen's correspondent reports martyrs, injuries in Israeli bombardment of home in Heker al-Jame area in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza.
Al-Quds Governorate: Today, the spatial division of Al-Aqsa Mosque began in a public and dangerous manner, and we warn of a religious war in the region
The Ministry of Health in Gaza: This brings the total number of victims of famine and malnutrition to 175, including 93 children

'Israel' enforcing starvation in Gaza amid aid blockade, UN warns

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: News Websites
  • 30 May 2025 17:23
  • 1 Shares
5 Min Read

The UN warns of forced starvation in Gaza as "Israel" blocks critical humanitarian aid. Top UN officials raise concerns of war crimes and call for international action.

Listen
  • x
  • A Palestinian girl waits to collect donated food at a food distribution kitchen in Deir al-Balah, Gaza Strip, Friday, May 30, 2025. (AP)
    A Palestinian girl waits to collect donated food at a food distribution kitchen in Deir al-Balah, Gaza Strip, Friday, May 30, 2025 (AP)

The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has stated that "Israel" is blocking nearly all humanitarian aid into Gaza, leaving the population with minimal access to food and essential supplies.

OCHA spokesperson Jens Laerke described Gaza as "the hungriest place on earth," warning that 100% of the population is now at risk of famine.

Laerke noted that while 600 of 900 aid trucks were authorized to reach the border, most have been held back by bureaucratic and security hurdles, preventing effective delivery. "What we have been able to bring in is flour," he said. "That's not ready to eat, right? It needs to be cooked..."

Blocked aid and bureaucratic hurdles

The blockade, which has been renewed following the collapse of the ceasefire in March, was only partially lifted last week. During the blockade, deliveries of food, medicine, fuel, and shelter were fully halted. However, the "lift" has allowed negligible aid compared to the humanitarian crisis Gaza has been enduring at the hands of the occupation. 

The International Committee of the Red Cross and Red Crescent confirmed that half of its medical facilities in Gaza are non-operational due to a lack of fuel and medical equipment.

Consequently, Tom Fletcher, the UN's humanitarian chief, told the BBC that the situation in Gaza amounts to forced starvation, a practice considered a war crime under international law. "Yeah, it is. It is classified as a war crime," he stated. While acknowledging that judicial bodies and history will make the final judgment, Fletcher emphasized the gravity of the current crisis.

Red Cross reports collapse of medical facilities

Tommaso della Longa, a spokesperson for the Red Cross, also highlighted the dire situation in medical infrastructure, indicating that humanitarian support is nearly impossible to deliver effectively.

Meanwhile, Fletcher urged Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to disavow comments made by Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, who suggested that Palestinians should be left in despair and consider relocation. "This language, and ultimately, this policy... of forced displacement, isn't enacted," Fletcher said.

Related News

Palestinians are being massacred by US-German weapons: Iran's Baghaei

Dozens of Palestinians killed in Gaza as IOF resume onslaught

He added that aid is being intentionally withheld to pressure the population. "We're seeing food set on the borders and not being allowed in when there is a population on the other side that is starving," he said.

Global leaders condemn 'Israel's' actions

Growing international criticism has followed "Israel's" military operations. EU’s top diplomat Kaja Kallas remarked, "Israeli strikes in Gaza go beyond what is necessary to fight Hamas." German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said he "no longer understands" "Israel's" objectives.

The UK, France, and Canada have urged the cessation of military operations and the immediate entry of humanitarian aid.

Fletcher: 'Act now to prevent genocide'

On May 14, Fletcher warned the UN Security Council to act to prevent genocide in Gaza, citing reports of starvation, forced displacement, and mass casualties.

"In Rwanda, Srebrenica, and Sri Lanka, the world said afterwards we didn’t act in time. That’s my call to the Security Council and the world right now: will you act to prevent genocide?" Fletcher said.

What is the objective?

Following the easing of the blockade, chaos erupted at aid distribution centers run by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, a US- and Israeli-backed group. The UN, which refused to collaborate with the GHF, reported 47 injuries during recent aid distributions, when Israeli soldiers fired "warning shots" at Palestinians waiting to receive aid. The Gaza Health Ministry reported one Palestinian martyr and 48 injuries in the attack. 

جيش الاحتلال يطلق قنابل غاز على المواطنين خلال توجههم لاستلام مساعدات الشركة الأمريكية في نيتساريم وسط قطاع غزة pic.twitter.com/6uYDOm9x9n

— شبكة فلسطين للحوار (@paldf) May 29, 2025

"Israel" resumed its onslaught two weeks after ending a ceasefire, citing pressure to free the remaining 58 captives. Fletcher emphasized that he supports the release of captives but warned that the current campaign exceeds that objective.

"I don't know now what the aim of this war is anymore. There’s a lot of talk about finishing off Hamas," he said. "Clearly, there can't be a part for Hamas in the new governance of Gaza and the Palestinian territories."

A broader humanitarian breakdown

Fletcher rejected claims by "Israel" that Hamas was diverting food aid, stating, "It's in our interest to stop that aid getting to Hamas and ensure it gets to civilians." 

He called for negotiation and mediation to resolve the crisis and reiterated the need to allow humanitarian aid into Gaza to prevent further loss of life.

Fletcher, who is also responding to crises in Ukraine, Sudan, and Syria, warned of a worsening global context, cautioning, "The Security Council is polarized, divided... it's getting harder and harder to end wars, and we humanitarians deal with the consequences."

Read more: 'Israel's' Gaza aid model is 'distraction from atrocities': UNRWA

  • genocide in Gaza
  • Gaza Strip
  • war on Gaza
  • Humanitarian aid
  • Starvation
  • Israeli aggression
  • Israel
  • Israeli occupation
  • Israeli siege
  • humanitarian crisis in Gaza
  • Gaza

Most Read

A rescued crew member from the ETERNITY C vessel in a video released by the Yemeni Armed Forces on July 28, 2025 (Yemeni Military Media)

Yemen Navy reveals fate of targeted Eternity C ship crew

  • Politics
  • 28 Jul 2025
An Israeli tank explodes following an ambush by al-Qassam Brigades in Gaza, Occupied Palestine, undated (Al-Qassam Military Media)

Al-Qassam strikes Israeli vehicles in Gaza, inflicts casualties

  • Politics
  • 30 Jul 2025
UAE lodges complaint against Israeli ambassador over 'misbehavior'

UAE lodges complaint against Israeli ambassador over 'misbehavior'

  • Politics
  • 1 Aug 2025
Protesters chant anti-Israeli slogans as they carry a banner that reads:" Freedom for Palestine, Alliance stop the war," during a demonstration in support of Palestinians in Gaza, outside the Israeli embassy, in Athens, Monday, June 9, 2025 (AP)

Athens mayor slams Israeli ambassador over Gaza war, graffiti claim

  • Politics
  • 3 Aug 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
A member of the al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas, takes part in a parade as he celebrates a ceasefire agreement between Hamas and the Israeli regime in Deir al-Balah, Gaza Strip, Sunday, January 19, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Al-Qassam: We’ll allow aid to Israeli captives if Gaza siege ends

Freed Lebanese freedom fighter Georges Abdallah during an interview on Al Mayadeen, which aired on Sunday, August 3, 2025 (Al Mayadeen screengrab)
Politics

Exclusive: Resistance key to building state, Georges Abdallah says

United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres gives a statement about the situation in Gaza at UN headquarters, Friday, June 27, 2025 (AP)
Politics

UN warns Gaza faces water crisis, looming famine under Israeli siege

Israeli soldiers drive their armored personnel carrier along the Gaza Strip, in southern occupied Palestine, Wednesday, July 30, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Ex-Israeli general says Gaza starvation campaign isolated 'Israel'

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS