Kathmandu: The UN’s humanitarian chief, Tom Fletcher, has accused Israel of subjecting Gaza’s population to forced starvation, calling it a war crime in an interview with the BBC.
Fletcher said food and aid are being blocked at the border while civilians in Gaza starve, asserting that this tactic appears intended to pressure the population. “It is classified as a war crime… ultimately for history to take a judgement on,” he told the BBC.
The remarks come amid mounting international criticism of Israel’s military conduct in Gaza. EU and G7 leaders have also called for a halt to Israeli operations and unrestricted humanitarian access.
Fletcher urged Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to disavow calls from Israeli officials for forced displacement of Palestinians and warned the UN Security Council to act to prevent genocide.
The interview follows Israel’s limited reopening of aid access after a near three-month blockade, during which thousands of civilians were left without food, medicine, and fuel.
According to Gaza’s Hamas-run health ministry, over 54,000 people have been killed in the enclave since Israel’s military campaign began in response to Hamas’s October 7 attack.