US responsible for continued Israeli starvation policy in Gaza: Hamas
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Senior Hamas official Osama Hamdan says the Biden administration "still insists on its brazen stance" in blaming the movement for obstructing a ceasefire agreement.
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Senior Hamas official Osama Hamdan holds a press conference regarding the latest developments in Gaza on March 5, 2024, in Beirut, Lebanon. (Anadolu via Getty Images)
The situation in Gaza has become tragic, senior Hamas official Osama Hamdan emphasized on Saturday, warning of imminent casualties due to food shortages, which are pushing the Strip toward famine.
During a press conference touching on the developments of the ongoing Israeli war on Gaza, Hamdan said UN estimates indicate that 70% of Gaza's population is at risk of famine, adding that "Israel's" policy of siege, through the blocking of crossings, has led to a liquidity (cash) crisis exacerbating the famine crisis in Gaza.
He highlighted that Israeli occupation forces are systematically destroying roads, water networks, and sewage systems, denying the people of Gaza access to drinking water.
The Palestinian official pointed out that the Israeli government ignores notifications from humanitarian organizations, which makes relief work extremely dangerous, emphasizing that the Israeli occupation's measures resemble an advanced form of "Nazi detention and extermination camps, even worse."
Hamdan considered "Israel's" policy of starvation in Gaza as one of the brutal methods of warfare targeting innocent civilians, making it tantamount to genocide, adding that "Israel's" policies in cutting electricity and water constitute acts of genocide against the Palestinian people in Gaza.
The Hamas official described the failure of world leaders to prevent the starvation of the people of Gaza as shameful and a stain of disgrace, adding that the world has seen images of Palestinian detainees losing much weight due to this policy, which Israeli Police Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir boasts about.
Washington sponsors starvation policy
Touching on the American role in supporting the Israeli policy of starving the people of Gaza, Hamdan underlined that, by supporting "Israel" in continuing its genocide against the Palestinian people, the Biden administration bears responsibility for the continuation of this policy.
The official stressed that the floating pier constructed by the United States in Gaza is nothing but bad propaganda and has not helped in delivering aid, noting that aid has rather decreased since its establishment.
Hamdan called on the international community to bear its responsibility in stopping genocide, calling for the opening of crossings and the entry of aid through the Rafah crossing after Israeli occupation forces withdraw from it.
He also expressed gratitude to charitable institutions supporting Palestine worldwide, in the Arab and Islamic world.
'Israel' hindering any agreement
Regarding the American proposals for a ceasefire and a prisoner exchange deal, Hamdan said the Israeli occupation continues to evade its commitment to a ceasefire in Gaza.
He affirmed that "the Biden administration still insists on its brazen stance in blaming Hamas for obstructing the agreement," despite no positive Israeli stance from it.
The Palestinian official affirmed Hamas' readiness "to positively engage with any agreement that ensures a ceasefire, the withdrawal of the occupation, and a fair exchange deal."
Hamdan made it clear that "the war of starvation will not break the will of the Palestinian people in Gaza."
"We will continue our resilience and jihad, and we will defeat our enemy," he concluded.
It is noteworthy that Israeli occupation Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu last week said he would not agree to any deal that stipulates an end to the war on Gaza, indicating that he was only open to a "partial" deal that would facilitate the return of captives still held by the Palestinian Resistance.
Read more: Biden administration proposes new language for ceasefire proposal
