Israel called an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council to demand the release of its emaciated hostages, including one seen digging his own grave.
Their plight drew widespread sympathy — but the two million Palestinians starving in Gaza got even more.
Palestinians flock to an aid distribution point set up in the Netzarim Corridor in hopes of receiving limited humanitarian aid in Deir al Balah, Gaza.Credit: Getty
Not only the Palestinians but most council members blamed the Israeli government and military for the two-month blockade of Gaza and failure to allow enough food into the conflict-racked territory, where its health ministry has reported more than 100 deaths from starvation, including many children.
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar, who flew to New York to attend the council meeting, accused Russia and other unnamed council members as well as the international media of perpetuating “so many lies”.
Israeli politician Gideon Saar.Credit: AP
He pointed to Hamas and Islamic Jihad’s starvation of hostages taken during the October 7, 2023, attacks in southern Israel “while the terrorists enjoy meat, fish and vegetables”.
Saar insisted that Israel is facilitating “huge amounts of aid into Gaza,” accusing Hamas of looting the food and other items and using it as “a financial tool” to sell and make money. UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric has said there is no evidence of this.
Israel’s top diplomat also accused the Palestinians of inventing terrorism, and Hamas of wanting to continue the war against Israel instead of reaching a ceasefire.
“The world has been turned upside down while Hamas runs its propaganda machine,” Saar said.
“It’s a world in which Israel is put on a bench of the accused while it fights for its survival. There is a name for it. It’s called antisemitism.”
Sierra Leone’s UN ambassador, Michael Imran Kanu, commended Itay David’s advocacy for his brother and the hostages, condemned their “inhumane treatment,” and said Hamas’ hostage-taking is a war crime that must be prosecuted. But, said Kanu, “One atrocity cannot justify another”.
“While we express deep concern for the hostages, we cannot ignore the wider humanitarian catastrophe that has engulfed Gaza,” he said.
“The people of Gaza have been subjected to a blockade and siege that deprived them of food, water, fuel and medical supplies,” which could also constitute a war crime.
Acting US Ambassador Dorothy Shea said President Donald Trump has recognised “real starvation” in Gaza and the United States is working to get assistance to civilians.
She urged “those who have professed concern about the reported risk of famine” to support the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, an Israeli-backed American contractor, which she said reported delivering more than 1.5 million meals on Sunday.
Hundreds of Palestinians have been killed trying to get to its four food distribution sites.
AP