Jerusalem: Israel's far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir on Friday claimed there is 'no real hunger in Gaza,' contradicting the warnings of dozens of countries and international humanitarian organizations about the deepening famine in the besieged enclave.
According to Anadolu Agency, Ben Gvir stated in a post on X that, 'There is no real hunger in Gaza. If they were hungry, they would have returned the hostages home,' adding his support for 'starving Hamas in Gaza.' Ben Gvir, leader of the ultranationalist Jewish Power party, has consistently advocated for cutting off all humanitarian aid to Gaza. He has called for a complete reoccupation of the territory, the expulsion of its Palestinian residents, and the establishment of Israeli settlements.
His latest remarks are in defense of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's policy of preventing the entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza, a policy that has faced widespread condemnation as collective punishment. Ben Gvir's comments diverge sharply from the positions held by numerous governments and humanitarian agencies, including the UN, which have warned of mass starvation in Gaza and accused Israel of weaponizing food as part of its genocidal war.
The Gaza Strip is currently experiencing one of the worst humanitarian crises in its history. Since October 7, 2023, Israel has waged a war on the enclave, sealing off all crossings on March 2, blocking the entry of food, medical supplies, and humanitarian aid. The closure has led to acute malnutrition, especially among children and the sick. Famine conditions have been reported in multiple areas, with aid organizations warning that time is running out to prevent mass deaths from starvation.
Rejecting international calls for a ceasefire, the Israeli army has pursued an offensive on Gaza since October 7, 2023, resulting in the death of over 59,500 Palestinians, most of them women and children. The bombardment has destroyed significant parts of the enclave and caused food shortages and the spread of diseases. Last November, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.