U.S. Amb. to Israel accuses UN of corruption amid Gaza famine declaration
DAMASCUS, Syria (North Press) – U.S. Ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, accused on Saturday the United Nations of corruption and incompetence, claiming that international media are “missing the real story of ‘famine’ in Gaza.”
On Friday, the United Nations officially declared a famine in the Gaza Strip, attributing it to what it described as Israel’s systematic obstruction of humanitarian aid.
Huckabee responded by alleging that “92% of THEIR food is stolen to be sold by Hamas,” adding that instead of declaring a famine, the “UN should declare itself corrupt & incompetent.”
On Friday, the United Nations Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) system officially declared a famine in parts of the Gaza Strip, saying that an estimated 514,000 people — or nearly a quarter of the enclave’s population — are experiencing famine, and that number is expected to rise to 641,000 by the end of September.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also commented on the UN’s announcement, stressing that Israel does not pursue a policy of starvation, and citing figures on the volume of humanitarian aid allowed into Gaza.
In a statement, Netanyahu’s Office called the IPC famine declaration an “outright lie” and “modern blood libel,” adding that “Israel does not have a policy of starvation. Israel has a policy of preventing starvation.”
Meanwhile, Israeli Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir said that the scope of operations in Gaza will be expanded in the coming days. “The campaign is ongoing; we are expanding activity in Gaza,” he added.
By Taysir Mohammed