The United Nations human rights chief has condemned Israel’s restrictions on humanitarian aid for the Gaza Strip, stating that it may amount to a war crime. The UN-backed report revealed that famine is likely in Gaza by May unless aid shipments increase and the conflict between Israel and Hamas ceases. The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights criticized Israel for its continued restrictions on aid entry, suggesting that starvation is being used as a method of war. Aid agencies blame Israel for the crisis, while the government maintains that it is facilitating supplies but blames the UN and relief groups for delays. The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification report warned of hunger-related deaths due to malnutrition in Gaza, with half of the population facing catastrophic hunger. The UN called for urgent action to prevent starvation and avert famine, stating that the crisis is man-made and preventable. Oxfam accused Israel of deliberately hindering aid supplies through bureaucracy, with trucks waiting an average of 20 days to access Gaza. The UN urged those with influence to pressure Israel to facilitate the entry and distribution of humanitarian assistance to address the dire situation in Gaza.
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