President condemns famine in Gaza City and calls for ‘urgent change’

By Cate McCurry, PA

The President has condemned the famine in Gaza City, saying the declaration has not come as a surprise.

The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) said on Friday that famine is occurring in Gaza City and could spread further south.

It comes after weeks of warnings by aid groups that restrictions on aid were leading to starvation among Palestinians.

In a statement, Michael D Higgins said the formal declaration will “sadly not surprise all of us who have been warning of this for some time”.

“So many world leaders have issued statements over the last two years, always referencing a two-state solution. How can they now see the very concept destroyed before their eyes – in Gaza with the loss of life and in the West Bank with further illegal occupation,” Mr Higgins added.

“Without urgent change, it is difficult to see how the international community can emerge without a loss of credibility and moral authority.

“What is at stake now is the status of international law, the granting of impunity in conditions of indiscriminate destruction, and misrepresentation of the right to food itself by an occupying power.

“None of this will wait until September. It is now the time for action on behalf of the international community, including all members of the European Union.”

Israel has for months blocked food, water and aid from reaching Palestinians in Gaza.

The secretary general of the United Nations, Antonio Guterres, described it as a “man-made disaster”.

Taoiseach Micheál Martin said Israel has an “absolute obligation” to allow the people in Gaza unfettered and urgent access to humanitarian aid, medical and food supplies.

“Famine in Gaza was both entirely predictable and preventable,” he added.

“The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification has been raised to Phase 5, the highest possible level of food insecurity, in what has been described as an ‘entirely man-made’ and ‘catastrophic’ situation.

“Israel must stop its attacks on, and bombardment of, Gaza City.

“The withholding of food and water from civilians is collective punishment of the people of Gaza, and a war crime.

“The retention of hostages by Hamas is also a war crime, and it is long past time for their unconditional release and an end to this war.

“The inhumanity we are witnessing in Gaza has shocked the world. The maiming, mutilation and killing of children simply has to stop. The war must end now.”