By Servet Gunerigok
WASHINGTON (AA) - The US opposes Israeli efforts to starve Palestinian civilians and Israel must address the catastrophic humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip, the American envoy to the UN said Tuesday.
Linda Thomas-Greenfield urged a change to the Israeli policy of punishing Palestinian people with hunger as she spoke during a session on the Middle East at the Security Council.
"The United States rejects any Israeli efforts to starve Palestinians in Jabalia, or anywhere else, and Israel's words must be matched by action on the ground. Right now, that is not happening. This must change immediately," said Thomas-Greenfield.
She said the US stated clearly that Israel must allow food, medicine and other supplies into all of Gaza, especially the north, and as winter sets in, protect workers who are part of the UN Palestinian agency, or UNWRA, distributing the aid.
The American envoy reiterated US concerns about legislation adopted by the Israeli parliament that banned the UN agency.
The ban would affect UNRWA's work in Gaza, the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem.
The vote Monday in the Knesset saw 92 of 120 lawmakers voting in favor of the bill, while 10 opposed.
Israel has accused UNRWA employees of being complicit in the Oct. 7, 2023, cross-border incursion by the Palestinian resistance group, Hamas.
"There is no denying the fact some UNRWA personnel were involved in the Oct. 7 attacks,” said Thomas-Greenfield. “At the same time, we know that right now, there is no alternative to UNRWA when it comes to delivering food and other life-saving aid in Gaza."
The Israeli army has continued a brutal onslaught against Gaza since a Hamas attack last year, despite a UN Security Council resolution demanding an immediate cease-fire.
More than 43,000 people have since been killed, mostly women and children, and an excess of 101,000 injured, according to local health authorities.
*Merve Aydogan contributed to the story