UN's declaration of famine in Gaza a ‘modern blood libel’: Netanyahu
text_fields
sraeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office rejected the United Nations’ declaration of famine in Gaza, describing it as an “outright lie” and a form of “modern blood libel.”
The term “blood libel” refers to historical accusations that Jewish people murdered Christians to use their blood in religious rituals, a claim that persisted from the Middle Ages to the early 20th century.
The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC), a UN-backed system for assessing hunger, reported that around half a million people in Gaza are currently trapped in famine conditions. It further projected that by the end of September, over 6,40,000 individuals will face “catastrophic” food insecurity, classified as IPC Phase 5.
Meanwhile, Gaza’s Health Ministry reported 281 hunger-related deaths so far, including 114 children, NDTV reported.
Netanyahu, however, wrote on his X account that, "Israel has no policy of starvation. Israel has a policy of preventing starvation. The only ones deliberately starved in Gaza are the Israeli hostages. This is a modern blood libel, spreading like wildfire through prejudice". He added that the "Hamas-orchestrated "starvation campaign" will not stop Israel from freeing hostages and eliminating Hamas.
Netanyahu’s office, citing UN data, stated that in July, out of 1,012 aid trucks sent to Gaza, only 10 successfully reached warehouses, while the rest were looted before distribution.
It acknowledged “temporary shortages” of aid in Gaza but claimed that Israel addressed them through airdrops, maritime deliveries, designated safe transport routes, and GHF distribution points operated by American companies.
However, the statement made no reference to the 11-week aid blockade Israel imposed on Gaza after the collapse of the ceasefire-hostage deal in March.