Oxfam: Those refusing to rein in Israeli aggression are complicit

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: News websites
23 Dec 2023 12:35
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Oxfam condemns the UN Security Council's delayed and diluted response to Gaza's humanitarian crisis, as the region faces an imminent famine.

Oxfam's satirical 'big heads' of the G7 leaders pose ahead of the start of the G7 summit in Japan, in Trafalgar Square, London, Wednesday, May 17, 2023. (AP)

Oxfam's Regional Director for the Middle East and North Africa, Sally Abi Khalil, condemned the UN Security Council's approach to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

"While over 90 percent of people in Gaza cannot find their next meal, some UN Security Council member states are still toying with words rather than voting for a ceasefire," she said.

Abi Khalil's statement comes in response to the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) report, published on Thursday, which warned of an imminent famine in Gaza. The Oxfam regional director accused the Occupation government of committing an ongoing war crime, describing Gaza's descent into starvation as being a premeditated atrocity.

Bombed, forced from their homes, & now starved, the people of #Gaza are experiencing levels of pain & suffering that no human should ever endure. we need a lasting #CeasefireNow, allowing food to reach those who desperately need it. Sign the petition https://t.co/2DsCwgqKM1 pic.twitter.com/a6LIRGCM3h
— Oxfam International (@Oxfam) December 23, 2023

The IPC report provided irrefutable proof, according to Abi Khalil, that "Israel's" attacks have decimated Gaza's already fragile food system to such an extent that most people can no longer feed themselves and their families.

Food weaponized against Gazans

She emphasized the urgent need for an immediate ceasefire and a significant increase in humanitarian aid to prevent Gaza from spiraling into a full-fledged famine.

"It is abhorrent and barely conceivable in 2023, that women, children and babies, the elderly and sick, the most vulnerable people have had their food weaponized against them. The horror felt by a mother unable to feed her child is the horror of Gaza today."

"While over 90 percent of people in Gaza cannot find their next meal, some UN Security Council member states are still toying with words rather than voting for a ceasefire."

Abi Khalil slammed the international community, asserting that those who have failed to rein in "Israel's" aggression and its collective punishment of Palestinians stand as complicit to the genocide.

Gaza's Ministry of Health reports staggering casualties, with 20,050 Palestinians killed and 53,320 wounded since the onset of the military aggression: with the majority of the victims being women and children.

UNSC enacts water-down Gaza resolution after US pressure

Al Mayadeen's correspondent in New York reported today that the US vetoed a Russian amendment to a UNSC resolution on Gaza calling for an "urgent and sustainable cessation of hostilities."

Following the US Veto, the United Nations Security Council voted instead to endorse a resolution demanding the "safe and unhindered delivery of humanitarian assistance at scale," under UNSC Resolution 2722.

After numerous delays, the resolution also called for the development of "conditions for a sustainable cessation of hostilities" but it did not call for an immediate ceasefire.

Russia and the United States abstained, meaning it passed with 13 votes in favor, as Russia appealed for an immediate ceasefire.

The resolution urges "all sides" to "allow and facilitate the use of all... routes to and throughout the entire Gaza Strip, including border crossings... for the provision of humanitarian assistance."

It also proposes that a UN humanitarian coordinator be appointed to supervise and verify supplies coming into Gaza, with an earlier draft stating the aid system for accelerating relief distribution would be "exclusively" under UN authority.

It is now stated that it would be managed in conjunction with "all relevant parties," implying that "Israel" will retain operational control over assistance supplies.