UN says thousands of babies in Gaza could die without aid as Britain, Canada, France threaten sanctions against Israel
UN humanitarian chief says five aid trucks entered Gaza on Monday, a “drop in the ocean” after an 11-week blockade by Israel, and were yet to reach the communities in need
Highlights:
- UN says 14,000 babies could die in Gaza in next 48 hours without aid
- Britain, Canada, France threaten sanctions against Israel over Gaza
- Netanyahu defends actions, cites conditions for ending conflict
United Nations' humanitarian chief Tom Fletcher has warned that 14,000 babies in Gaza could die within 48 hours if more aid does not enter the territory.
Fletcher said five aid trucks entered Gaza on Monday, a "drop in the ocean" after an 11-week blockade by Israel.
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He added that although the aid lorries have crossed into Gaza, they are just on the other side of the border, and haven't even reached the communities yet, reports BBC.
"We run all sorts of risks trying to get that baby food through to those mothers who cannot feed their children right now because they're malnourished," he further said.
His comments come after the leaders of Britain, Canada and France threatened sanctions against Israel on Monday if it does not stop a renewed military offensive in Gaza and lift aid restrictions, piling further pressure on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
"The Israeli Government's denial of essential humanitarian assistance to the civilian population is unacceptable and risks breaching International Humanitarian Law," a joint statement released by the British government said.
"We oppose any attempt to expand settlements in the West Bank ... We will not hesitate to take further action, including targeted sanctions."
"We have always supported Israel's right to defend Israelis against terrorism. But this escalation is wholly disproportionate," the three Western leaders said in the joint statement. They said they would not stand by while Netanyahu's government pursued "these egregious actions."
They stated their support for efforts led by the United States, Qatar and Egypt for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, and said they were committed to recognising a Palestinian state as part of a two-state solution to the conflict.
Hamas welcomed the joint statement describing the stance as "an important step" in the right direction toward restoring the principles of international law.
Netanyahu said that "the leaders in London, Ottawa and Paris are offering a huge prize for the genocidal attack on Israel on October 7 while inviting more such atrocities".
He said Israel will defend itself by just means until total victory is achieved, reiterating Israel's conditions to end the war which include the release of the remaining hostages and the demilitarization of the Gaza strip.
The Israeli military announced the start of a new operation on Friday, and earlier on Monday Netanyahu said Israel would take control of the whole of Gaza. International experts have already warned of looming famine.
Israel has blocked the entry of medical, food and fuel supplies into Gaza since the start of March to try to pressure Hamas into freeing the hostages the Palestinian militant group took on October 7, 2023, when it attacked Israeli communities.
Israel's ground and air war has devastated Gaza, displacing nearly all its residents and killing more than 53,000 people, many of them civilians, according to Gaza health authorities.
The war began with the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led attack in which the militants killed about 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and seized 251 hostages, according to Israeli tallies.
