SAEDNEWS: The head of the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) denounced Israel’s continued denial of famine in Gaza, calling it a “shameful” policy as Palestinians endure mass starvation under siege and bombardment.
Philippe Lazzarini, speaking at a seminar in Santander, Spain, said Gaza is enduring a man-made famine, driven entirely by Israel’s political and military agenda.
“There is a famine right now in Gaza,” he said.
“This is a man-made famine driven by political and military will.”
Lazzarini described the enclave’s humanitarian collapse as unprecedented, saying the international community’s failure to act was equally “shameful.”
“Gaza today is like hell. People are not only dying under bombardments, they are dying of hunger, and even when they go out to look for food, they are killed,” he said.
“Those who could reverse the situation in Gaza are doing nothing — no measures, no condemnation. Today we are witnessing complete impunity for Israel.”
He demanded an immediate ceasefire and unrestricted humanitarian access, noting that aid equivalent to 6,000 UNRWA trucks — enough to feed Palestinians for two months — is being blocked outside Gaza by Israel.
“The Israeli government’s policy of denying the famine in Gaza is shameful,” he stressed.
Lazzarini also condemned the Israeli army’s strike on Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, which killed civilians and journalists.
He underscored the plight of Palestinian reporters, the only remaining witnesses to the atrocities, as Israel bars foreign media from entering Gaza.
He recalled that more than 360 UNRWA staff have been killed since the assault began.
According to Gaza’s Health Ministry, at least 62,819 Palestinians have been killed in Israel’s genocidal war since October 2023.
The ministry reported 75 deaths and 370 injuries in the past 24 hours alone, bringing total injuries to 158,629.
Three more people, including two children, died of starvation and malnutrition, raising the famine-related toll to 303, among them 117 children.
“Many victims remain trapped under rubble or on the streets,” the ministry said, blaming relentless Israeli strikes and lack of equipment for hindering rescue efforts.
Since Israel resumed its military campaign on March 18 after breaking a ceasefire and prisoner exchange, 10,975 Palestinians have been killed and 46,588 injured.
Israeli forces have also continued targeting civilians seeking aid, killing 17 and injuring 122 in the past day.
Since May 27, 2,140 people have been killed and more than 15,737 wounded while trying to secure humanitarian supplies.
Israel’s full blockade, in force since early March, has created catastrophic conditions for Gaza’s 2.4 million residents, sparking famine, disease and the collapse of essential services.
Israel now faces international legal action.
Last November, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former war minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity.
Separately, the International Court of Justice is hearing a genocide case against Israel over its brutal war on Gaza.
