In systematic starvation policy, Smotrich blocks flour entry to Gaza

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Axios
13 Feb 2024 22:12
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The ongoing tensions between the US and the Israeli PM escalate as Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich blocks a US-funded flour shipment to Gaza.

Benyamin Netanyahu and Bezalel Smotrich before a meeting at the prime minister's office in occupied Al-Quds on February 23, 2023. (AP)

Israeli Finance Minister and the leader of the Religious Zionist Party Bezalel Smotrich is preventing a shipment of US-funded flour to Gaza, under the pretext that the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) is the recipient, Axios reported, citing two Israeli and US officials.

US officials noted that this action contradicts a commitment made by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to US President Biden a few weeks ago, adding to the growing frustration between the two, as per Axios.

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More than a month ago, top officials in the Biden administration discussed the potential shipment of flour. The Israeli war and security cabinets granted approval for the delivery to proceed from the port of "Ashdod" in southern "Israel" to Gaza through the "Kerem Shalom" crossing.

Both President Biden and Secretary of State Blinken have expressed gratitude publicly to the Israeli government for permitting the flour shipment. However, despite the approvals, the shipment has faced delays and remains stranded at the "Ashdod" port for weeks now, the report added.

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich obstructed the transfer, instructing the Israeli customs service not to release the shipment as long as UNRWA was the recipient.

This comes amid an Israeli campaign to stigmatize the agency's credibility after "Israel" accused 12 of its members of being affiliated with the October 7 operation conducted by the Palestinian Resistance. As a result, the UK, the US, and 14 other countries have opted to defund the organization, primarily led by the United States, prior to any investigation and without any proof provided despite the unbearable civilian toll and dire humanitarian crisis due to the current Israeli genocide.

Bezalel Smotrich's office affirmed to Axios that he directed the customs service to withhold the flour shipments. In collaboration with Netanyahu, he also allegedly requested officials to explore an alternative delivery method.

It is worth noting that more than 2.2 million people, constituting the entire population of Gaza, are confronting crisis or even more severe stages of famine, as per a report from a UN-supported organization released late last year. The risk of famine is escalating daily in the region. The report disclosed that approximately half of Gaza's population is experiencing emergency levels of food insecurity.