Israel Condemns UN Aid Chief for Genocide Claims in Gaza

The United Nations aid chief, Tom Fletcher, urged the UN Security Council to act decisively to prevent genocide in the Gaza Strip amid warnings of famine due to a 75-day blockade on aid deliveries by Israel. Fletcher highlighted the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza, emphasizing overwhelmed hospitals, starvation risks, and displacement under Israeli military control. Israel strongly rejected Fletcher's characterization, with its UN Ambassador Danny Danon accusing him of weaponizing the term genocide without evidence or mandate, calling the remarks a politically charged and irresponsible statement that compromised neutrality. The ongoing conflict began on October 7, 2023, following Hamas attacks killing 1,200 Israelis and taking hostages, leading to a military campaign with over 53,000 Palestinian deaths reported by Gaza authorities. Israel maintains it has blocked aid due to concerns over Hamas stealing supplies and demands the release of hostages as a condition for aid. The situation has drawn international concern as a global hunger monitor warns that a quarter of Gaza's population faces starvation, intensifying calls for humanitarian intervention.