Palestinians forced out of shelters in Beit Hanoun traverse the main Salaheddine road into Jabalia in the northern Gaza Strip after receiving evacuation orders from the Israeli army on November 12, 2024. — AFP
The United States emphasized at the United Nations on Tuesday that "there must be no forced displacement, nor a policy of starvation in Gaza" by Israel, cautioning that such actions would have severe consequences under both US and international law. US Ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield made these comments shortly after Washington stated that its ally Israel was taking sufficient measures to address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza to prevent potential restrictions on US military aid.
"Nonetheless, Israel must guarantee that its actions are fully executed - and its improvements maintained over time," Thomas-Greenfield told the UN Security Council. She also stressed the urgent need for Israel to halt the implementation of a law prohibiting the operation of the UN Palestinian relief agency UNRWA.
The Security Council convened following a report by global hunger experts indicating a "strong probability of an imminent famine in certain areas" of northern Gaza as Israel continues its military campaign against the Palestinian militant group Hamas in the region. "Most of Gaza has now become a wasteland of rubble," acting UN aid chief Joyce Msuya informed the council. "As I speak, Israeli authorities are obstructing humanitarian aid from reaching North Gaza, where fighting persists, and approximately 75,000 people are left with dwindling water and food supplies," she added.
Israel's UN Ambassador Danny Danon dismissed the famine warning from global hunger experts as "entirely false" and outlined Israel's efforts to enhance the humanitarian situation in Gaza. "I implore each of you to examine the facts. Look closely at Israel's actions on the ground. Consider the risks our soldiers undertake to fulfill these humanitarian obligations, often under active threats," Danon told the council.
Slovenia's UN Ambassador Samuel Zbogar urged the Security Council to take action. "More than a year into the war, we cannot accept assurances implying that all possible measures are being taken to protect the civilian population in Gaza. This is simply not accurate," he stated.
The UN Security Council is currently deliberating a draft resolution that "calls for an immediate, unconditional, and permanent ceasefire to be observed by all parties" in Gaza. It also "demands the facilitation of full, rapid, safe, and unhindered entry of humanitarian assistance on a large scale to and throughout the Gaza Strip and its delivery to all Palestinian civilians in need." The text was drafted by the elected 10 members of the council, who began negotiations with the permanent five veto-wielding members - Russia, China, the U.S., Britain, and France - at the start of November. Russia and China on Tuesday supported the draft text and called for a vote as soon as possible. A resolution requires at least nine affirmative votes and no vetoes to pass.
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