Amnesty International has released a report claiming that Israel and the US-backed aid system in Gaza are using starvation tactics against Palestinians to commit genocide. The organization condemned Israel’s foreign minister, saying he joined forces with Hamas and adopted propaganda lies.
According to the report, more than 500 Palestinians have been killed at or near food distribution centers over the past month, with many more injured. The centers are guarded by private security contractors and located near Israeli military positions.
The conditions created by the aid system have led to a deadly mix of hunger and disease, pushing Gaza’s population to breaking point. Amnesty’s secretary general described the daily loss of life as desperate Palestinians try to collect aid as “devastating.”
Humanitarian organizations say that the amount of aid delivered through the Israel-backed initiative is not enough to meet the overwhelming need in Gaza. The World Food Programme reported that food consumption reached a critical low last month, with food diversity at its worst level since the conflict began.
The report follows a statement from over 165 major international charities and non-governmental organizations calling for an end to the aid system, saying it allows Israel to use food as a weapon and violates humanitarian principles. The US government has pledged $30 million for the aid system, despite criticism of its effectiveness.
Amnesty’s allegations come after last year’s accusations that Israel committed genocide in the Gaza Strip during its war with Hamas. Israel rejects these claims, labeling them an “antisemitic blood libel.”
Source: https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinians-hamas-war-news-amnesty-international-bc0964d64178999809770493df90607d