A UN specialist, who previously alerted to the risk of hunger in Gaza, states that there is no reason to be shocked. | Israeli-Palestinian conflict

The UN expert who initially warned that Israel was orchestrating a campaign of mass starvation in Gaza has emphasized that governments and corporations cannot claim to be unaware of the unfolding horror. Michael Fakhri, the UN special rapporteur on the right to food, stated that Israel has created the most efficient starvation machine imaginable and that while it may be shocking to witness people starving, no one should be surprised since the information has been publicly available since early 2024. He described the Israeli action as genocide and a war crime, emphasizing that he has been consistently repeating these warnings, resembling the Greek mythological figure Cassandra whose prophecies were ignored. In October 2023, following a deadly Hamas attack, Israel declared a complete siege on Gaza, halting the supply of electricity, food, water, and fuel. By December 2023, Gazans accounted for 80% of the people worldwide facing catastrophic hunger. Despite stark images and confirmation from multiple aid agencies that malnutrition and starvation have escalated, the Israeli government continues to insist that the situation is due to logistical issues. The international community, including the UN and various aid organizations, has condemned these actions, urging member states and corporations to take action by cutting financial and military aid to Israel and implementing sanctions. Fakhri calls for the deployment of peacekeepers to accompany humanitarian convoys into Gaza in light of the ineffectiveness of UN security council resolutions due to U.S. vetoes.

Source: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/aug/04/gaza-starvation-un-expert-michael-fakhri