Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vehemently denied accusations of genocide against Palestinians in Gaza, labeling them as 'outrageous slanders' in his recent address to Congress. Netanyahu condemned the allegations, stating that they are intended to delegitimize Israel and demonize the Jewish state and Jews worldwide.
Netanyahu likened these accusations to historical anti-Semitic propaganda that fueled the Holocaust, emphasizing the severity of such claims. He specifically refuted the International Criminal Court's allegations that Israel is starving Palestinians in Gaza, dismissing them as 'utter, complete nonsense' and 'a complete fabrication.'
Despite Netanyahu's assertions, the United Nations reports that 96% of Gaza's population currently faces 'crisis or worse levels of food insecurity,' highlighting the dire humanitarian situation in the region.
Netanyahu defended Israel's actions by stating that over 40,000 aid trucks have been allowed to enter Gaza, contradicting claims made by the UN. He accused Hamas of diverting the aid for their own purposes, although there is limited evidence of widespread misappropriation by the group.
Humanitarian officials have raised concerns about the challenges in delivering aid to Gaza, citing logistical issues at the Kerem Shalom crossing that have hindered the flow of humanitarian goods into the region.
The United States has urged Israel to facilitate greater access for humanitarian aid into Gaza, emphasizing the importance of addressing the pressing needs of the population in the conflict-affected area.