Israel's Gaza aid drops are a smokescreen
The official dismissed the tactic as ineffective and urged Israel to lift its blockade of the densely populated enclave. His remarks came after the UN's food aid program reported that 90,000 Palestinian women and children are suffering from malnutrition.
'Gaza airdrops will not reverse the deepening starvation. They are expensive, inefficient, and can even kill starving civilians. It is a distraction and screensmoke [sic],' Lazzarini wrote on X on Saturday, adding 'a manmade hunger can only be addressed by political will.'
He called on Israel to 'lift the siege' and guarantee safe access to humanitarian workers. 'At UNRWA, we have the equivalent of 6,000 trucks in Jordan and Egypt waiting for the green light to get into Gaza,' he wrote.
'Driving aid through is much easier, more effective, faster, cheaper, and safer. It's more dignified for the people of Gaza,' he added.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said on Saturday that it had dropped seven pallets containing flour, sugar, canned food, and other supplies. The army pledged to provide safe passage for UN aid convoys and said 'local humanitarian pauses' could be implemented.
A video posted on social media reportedly shows desperate Palestinians fighting over food.
This evening, the Israeli air force carried out a food airdrop mission in northern Gaza. The ensuing pandemonium and horrific scenes were apocalyptically revealing of the extent of desperation & starvation among the population, turning people into zombie-like creatures singularly… pic.twitter.com/H6xe0OhheG
The UN, relief groups, and several European governments have stepped up criticism of Israel in recent weeks, as the death toll in Gaza approaches 60,000.
Israel said it would allow more aid into the enclave, provided it bypasses Hamas, which it accuses of stealing food. The IDF and the militants have blamed each other for attacks on civilians at aid distribution points.
US President Donald Trump told reporters earlier this week that Israel would have to 'get rid' of Hamas in Gaza, after ceasefire talks once again stalled.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Russia Today
11 hours ago
- Russia Today
Kremlin reveals contents of Putin-Netanyahu call
Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday in a phone call focused on developments in the Middle East, according to the Kremlin. The two leaders discussed the situation in Syria and the recent escalation between Israel and Iran. Moscow reaffirmed its commitment to a peaceful resolution of regional conflicts, the Kremlin said in a statement. Putin emphasized the importance of preserving Syria's unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity. He also offered Russia's assistance in establishing dialogue between Israel and Iran following the recent conflict between the two nations. Moscow is ready 'to contribute in every possible way to finding a negotiated solution' to the tensions around the Iranian nuclear program. Putin and Netanyahu also agreed to continue the dialogue on pressing bilateral and international issues, the Kremlin added. After Bashar Assad's government fell late last year, Israel expanded its presence in Syria beyond the Golan Heights, citing the need to prevent hostile actors from gaining a foothold near its borders. Earlier this month, the Israel Defense Forces also launched multiple airstrikes on the Syrian Defense Ministry in Damascus, claiming the strikes were in defense of the Druze minority in southern Syria. Netanyahu and Syria's interim leader, Ahmad al-Sharaa, a former commander of Islamist Hayat Tahrir al-Sham militia, then agreed to a US-mediated ceasefire. In June, Israel carried out US-supported air strikes on Iranian nuclear and military sites, triggering a retaliation from Tehran. The two countries exchanged strikes for 12 days. Russia was among the few nations to contact both Israel and Iran immediately after first strikes were launched in a bid to defuse tensions. It also proposed several compromise frameworks to all parties, according to Putin.
Russia Today
12 hours ago
- Russia Today
Trump issues new threat to Iran
US President Donald Trump has warned that Iran's nuclear sites could be bombed again if it resumes uranium enrichment. Tehran, which insists its nuclear program is peaceful, has pledged to rebuild facilities hit in last month's US-Israeli strikes. Israel carried out a series of strikes against Iran in June, claiming Tehran was nearing completion of a nuclear weapon – an accusation Israeli officials have made for decades. Despite IAEA and US intelligence having failed to find evidence that Iran was developing a nuclear weapon, the US joined the attack, targeting Iran's facilities at Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan. The strikes reportedly caused serious damage to Iran's nuclear infrastructure and killed dozens, including nuclear scientists and military personnel. Last week, speaking to Fox News, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi made clear that Iran would not abandon its nuclear program. He called enrichment an achievement of Iranian scientists and a matter of 'national pride.' Trump responded on Sunday, calling Iran's stance 'stupid' and threatened further strikes. 'We wiped out their nuclear possibilities. They can start again. If they do, we'll wipe it out faster than you can wave your finger at it,' he said. Iran has repeatedly said it is not seeking nuclear weapons. 'We are ready to do any confidence-building measure needed to prove that Iran's nuclear program is peaceful and would remain peaceful forever, and Iran would never go for nuclear weapons,' Araghchi said last week. He also rejected claims that Iran seeks to destroy Israel or has plotted to assassinate Trump. The US-Israeli bombing campaign was condemned internationally. The UN warned of grave regional consequences, and a number of countries pointed to the illegal nature of the attack. Russia has similarly described the strikes as 'unprovoked aggression' and a violation of international law. Moscow has advocated for a diplomatic approach to the issue of Iran's nuclear program.
Russia Today
14 hours ago
- Russia Today
Cost of renovating Trump's ‘flying palace' revealed
The luxury jet gifted to US President Donald Trump by Qatar is expected to cost $934 million or more to renovate, the New York Times reported on Sunday, citing Air Force sources. The outlet claimed the funds were quietly diverted from money earmarked for modernizing the US ground-launched nuclear missile system. The Qatari royal family gifted Trump a $400 million Boeing 747-8, dubbed the 'flying palace,' earlier this year. The jet has been transferred to the Pentagon to serve as Air Force One while new Boeing aircraft remain delayed. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and his Qatari counterpart signed an agreement for Qatar's 'unconditional donation' earlier this month. Renovations are expected to begin in the coming weeks. While the official cost is classified, sources told the NYT the Pentagon hid the renovation funds within the Sentinel program – an overhaul of the aging Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) system with new launch facilities and communications. Air Force sources reportedly claimed the Pentagon quietly slipped a $934 million transfer for the Qatari jet's renovation into a document linked to the program recently sent to Congress. The handing over of the jet has sparked controversy and has been opposed by critics on ethics grounds. 'The more we learn about this deal, the more disturbing it becomes,' Democratic Senator Jeanne Shaheen told the NYT. She warned of 'significant security implications' in accepting a foreign aircraft as Air Force One and criticized diverting nuclear modernization funds for 'a vanity project for President Trump.' Air Force Secretary Troy Meink told Congress in June he expected the renovation to cost under $400 million. But Air Force engineers told the NYT the estimate was unrealistic, citing extensive upgrades including communications, anti-missile systems, engine improvements, removal of suspected surveillance devices, and Trump's added 'luxuries.' Trump defended the gift, telling reporters in May he 'would never be one to turn down that kind of an offer,' adding, 'I could be a stupid person and say, 'No, we don't want a free, very expensive airplane'.'
