US says “policy of starvation” in Gaza would be “horrific and unacceptable” | BBC News

Summary

The US Envoy to the United Nations has expressed concern over Israel's actions in Northern Gaza, amid accusations of a humanitarian crisis due to restricted aid access. Reports detail the devastating impact of Israeli airstrikes, leading to the deaths of entire families and a surge of casualties at local hospitals. The director of a hospital in Jabalia describes the situation as collective punishment and urges global intervention to facilitate humanitarian corridors for essential supplies. While Israel defends its actions, blaming Hamas, the US warns of potential cuts to military support unless aid is allowed to flow into the region.

Takeaways

• 🇺🇸 The US Envoy to the UN emphasizes that Washington is monitoring Israel's actions in Northern Gaza to prevent a policy of starvation.
• 🚨 Claims have emerged that the Israeli military is besieging parts of Northern Gaza, obstructing food aid delivery.
• 🇮🇱 Israel denies blocking aid and reports that 50 trucks have entered Northern Gaza today.
• ⚠️ The US has warned Israel about potentially cutting military supplies if more aid is not allowed into Gaza.
• 📰 Israel is not permitting international journalists, including the BBC, to access Gaza.
• 💔 Families are suffering significant losses; reports of entire families being killed in airstrikes are emerging.
• 🩺 Hospitals in Gaza are overwhelmed, facing a dire humanitarian crisis with constant casualties.
• 🔒 Israel is accused of impeding up to 90% of aid to Northern Gaza in the last month.
• 🌍 The hospital director calls for global intervention to ensure humanitarian corridors for essential supplies.
• 💬 Israeli soldiers attribute the crisis facing civilians to Hamas, alleging that medical facilities are used for military purposes.

Q & A

What is the main concern expressed by the US Envoy to the United Nations regarding Israel's actions in Northern Gaza?

The US Envoy is concerned that Israel may be pursuing a policy of starvation in Northern Gaza, as claims arise about the Israeli military besieging parts of the region and preventing food aid from reaching civilians.

How has Israel responded to allegations of blocking aid to Gaza?

Israel denies blocking aid and claims that 50 trucks were allowed to enter Northern Gaza on the day of the report.

What warning did the US give to Israel regarding military supplies?

The US has threatened to cut military supplies to Israel unless more humanitarian aid is permitted to flow into Northern Gaza.

What challenges do international journalists face in covering the situation in Gaza?

Israel is not allowing international journalists, including the BBC, independent access to Gaza, complicating efforts to report on the humanitarian crisis.

What are some of the humanitarian conditions reported in Jabalia, Northern Gaza?

Reports indicate a dire humanitarian crisis, with many casualties being pulled from homes and streets, and hospitals facing a constant stream of injured individuals.

How has the health system in Gaza been affected by the ongoing conflict?

The director of a hospital in Gaza describes the situation as a collective punishment for the health system, urging the world to intervene and allow humanitarian corridors for medical supplies and aid.

What role does Hamas play according to the Israeli military in the context of the humanitarian crisis?

Israeli soldiers blame Hamas for the crisis facing civilians, claiming that medical facilities in Gaza are being used to launch attacks.

What does the report suggest about the civilian experience during airstrikes in Gaza?

The report describes horrifying scenes of families fleeing airstrikes, with many casualties and the emotional toll on survivors, including children witnessing the aftermath.

What urgent requests are being made to the international community regarding the situation in Gaza?

There are urgent calls for the international community to intervene and impose humanitarian measures to open corridors for aid, fuel, and medical supplies to alleviate the suffering of civilians.

What emotions and responses are depicted in the report from those affected by the conflict?

The report captures deep grief and despair among survivors, as individuals mourn lost family members and express feelings of hopelessness amid the ongoing violence.