Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu refutes claims of a starvation policy in Gaza, asserting Israel's efforts to prevent a humanitarian crisis. He criticizes international media for spreading 'fake news' and considers legal action against the New York Times. Despite reports of severe malnutrition in Gaza, Netanyahu emphasizes Israel's goal to liberate the region from Hamas control.
Netanyahu Denies Starvation Policy in Gaza, Aims to Liberate from Hamas
Netanyahu: "We Want to Liberate Gaza from Hamas"
Netanyahu: No Starvation Policy in Gaza
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held a press conference on Sunday for international media as the UN Security Council discussed the situation in Gaza in an emergency meeting.
He countered what he calls "Hamas lies" and the international press's "fake news" about starvation in Gaza. He stated that Israel "has no choice but to finish the job" in Gaza.
Meanwhile, the Hamas-controlled health authority in Gaza reports that a total of 100 children and 117 adults have died from starvation and malnutrition in Gaza. In July, 12,000 children under five in Gaza suffered from acute malnutrition, according to WHO.
"Our Policy Prevents Humanitarian Crisis"
"Our policy during the war has been to prevent a humanitarian crisis, while Hamas's policy has been to create one. Since the beginning of the war, Israel has allowed nearly two million tons of aid. If we had a starvation policy, no one in Gaza would have survived after two years of war. But our policy has been the exact opposite," Netanyahu said at the press conference in Jerusalem.
He criticized international media for "faking news" and displayed three images of starving children in Gaza, which he claims are forgeries. Among them was a front-page image from the New York Times of a boy with an underlying illness, which the newspaper did not mention.
Considering Lawsuit Against New York Times
"I am now considering the possibility of the government suing the New York Times because this is outrageous," he said, adding that the only ones intentionally starved in Gaza are the Israelis held hostage by Hamas.
The UN has warned of mass starvation in Gaza, and Israel is criticized by aid and human rights organizations for using starvation as a weapon. In March, Israel imposed a total blockade on emergency aid to the area, and since then, only a limited amount has been allowed into Gaza.
Netanyahu says Israel's recently adopted plan to take over Gaza City is "the best way to end the war quickly."
"Our goal is not to occupy Gaza. Our goal is to liberate Gaza, liberate it from Hamas terrorists," he said.