The United Nations is sounding the alarm on the humanitarian crisis in Gaza as Israel continues its military actions in the region. Aid delivery has been severely impacted, leading to concerns about childhood malnutrition and the spread of polio. Despite the critical situation, the United States, a key ally of Israel, has remained silent on the issue. Advocates are calling on the US government to use its influence to address the urgent needs in Gaza and ensure the free flow of aid.
The UN has reported a surge in acute malnutrition among children in Gaza, along with the reemergence of polio. The World Food Programme has had to halt operations temporarily after one of its vehicles was attacked near an Israeli checkpoint. Legal experts warn that blocking humanitarian aid and attacking aid workers could constitute war crimes under the Geneva Convention.
Advocates are urging US President Joe Biden to pressure Israel for a seven-day pause in the fighting to allow for humanitarian aid delivery and polio vaccinations. Senator Chris Van Hollen has also joined the call for a ceasefire to address the urgent humanitarian needs in Gaza. Despite the Biden administration’s focus on reaching a ceasefire agreement, advocates are concerned about the lack of public scrutiny on Israel’s restrictions on aid distribution.
Critics argue that the US government’s continued military aid to Israel, coupled with its silence on the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, tolerates violations against aid workers and civilians. The Biden administration’s reluctance to hold Israel accountable for obstructing aid access raises concerns about its commitment to human rights and humanitarian principles in the region.
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