UN Security Council discusses starvation of Israeli hostages, Gaza Palestinians
Israel accuses Hamas of starving hostages; most council members say Israel is starving Palestinians with its blockade
Israel called an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council on Tuesday to demand the release of its emaciated hostages, including one seen digging his own grave. Their plight drew widespread sympathy - but the 2 million Palestinians starving in Gaza got even more.
Not only the Palestinians but most council members blamed the Israeli government and military for the two-month blockade of Gaza and failure to allow enough food into the conflict-wracked territory, where its health ministry has reported over 100 deaths from starvation, including many children.
The UN meeting was held as the Palestinian death toll, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, had surpassed 61,000 since the war began.
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar, who flew to New York to attend the council meeting, accused Russia and other unnamed council members as well as the international media of perpetuating “so many lies”. He pointed to Hamas and Islamic Jihad’s starvation of hostages taken during the October 7, 2023, attacks in southern Israel “while the terrorists enjoy meat, fish and vegetables”.
Saar insisted that Israel is facilitating “huge amounts of aid into Gaza”, accusing Hamas of looting the food and other items and using it as “a financial tool” to sell and make money. UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric has said there was no evidence of this.