Israel Dismisses Famine Warnings Amid Ongoing Conflict in Gaza

Israel rebuffed warnings by global food security experts about potential famine in parts of northern Gaza, asserting that the claims rely on biased data. The Famine Review Committee issued an alert highlighting the urgent need for action, while Israel maintained its aid efforts with the U.N. amidst rising international pressure.

Israel on Saturday dismissed warnings from a global food security expert group about an impending famine in northern Gaza, where it is engaged in conflict with the Palestinian militant group Hamas. The military criticized the research as relying on biased data and vested interests.

The Famine Review Committee (FRC), an independent body, issued a rare alert on Friday, emphasizing the urgent need for action to prevent a humanitarian disaster in north Gaza. Despite the warnings, Israel highlighted its ongoing efforts, including opening an additional crossing for aid on Friday.

Since the conflict's onset in October 2023, Israel reported that 39,000 trucks with over 840,000 tons of food have entered Gaza, with daily U.N. coordination involving 700 aid trucks awaiting distribution. Facing accusations of employing starvation tactics, Israel's primary ally, the U.S., has imposed a deadline for humanitarian improvements, threatening potential military cooperation restrictions.

(With inputs from agencies.)