All members of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), except the US, on Wednesday said the famine in Gaza was a “manmade crisis” and warned that the use of starvation as a weapon of war is banned under international humanitarian law. Man-made crisis in Gaza: UNSC members “We express our profound alarm and distress at the IPC data on Gaza, published last Friday,” said Trishala Persaud, Guyana’s deputy permanent representative to the UN. “This is the first time famine has been officially confirmed in the Middle East region. Every day, more persons are dying as a result of malnutrition. Many of them children.” “This is a man-made crisis,” Persaud continued. “The use of starvation as a weapon of war is clearly prohibited under international humanitarian law.” Immediate ceasefire, release of hostages In a joint statement, the 14 council members called for an immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire, the release of all hostages held by Hamas and other groups, a substantive surge of aid throughout Gaza, and for Israel to immediately and unconditionally lift all restrictions on aid delivery. US questions credibility of Gaza famine At a Security Council meeting earlier, acting US Ambassador to the UN Dorothy Shea questioned the credibility and integrity of a report finding that Gaza is suffering a famine, saying it “doesn’t pass the test on either.” “We all recognise that hunger is a real issue in Gaza and that there are significant humanitarian needs which must be met. Addressing those needs is a priority for the United States,” she told the 15-member council. Trump holds meeting on Gaza The joint statement came on the same day President Donald Trump presided over a policy meeting on the war in Gaza. He was joined by former British Prime Minister Tony Blair and former Middle East envoy Jared Kushner. A White House official told Reuters the session is "simply a policy meeting," the type frequently held by Trump and his team. "President Trump has been clear that he wants the war to end, and he wants peace and prosperity for everyone in the region. The White House has nothing additional to share on the meeting at this time," a second White House official said.
