UN Envoy Urges Israel to End Strikes, Ease Gaza Starvation

Massive waste piles are fuelling disease outbreaks in Gaza. UNRWA (File Photo)

Gaza stands at a perilous crossroads as civilians face extreme suffering, starvation, and relentless bombardment, the UN's top Middle East envoy warned the Security Council on Wednesday.

Sigrid Kaag, interim UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, described the crisis as a man-made catastrophe, saying:

“Gaza’s population is being starved and denied the very basics.”

Since the collapse of a ceasefire in March, civilians have been under near-constant fire, confined to shrinking areas and cut off from essential relief.

“Israel must halt its devastating strikes on civilian life and infrastructure,” Kaag said.

Famine risk intensifies

With humanitarian access severely restricted and only minimal aid allowed in, the entire population of Gaza now faces the risk of famine.

“The limited aid trickling into Gaza is like a lifeboat after a shipwreck,” she said, warning that starvation is widespread.

Kaag underlined that aid access must not depend on political negotiations, stressing:

“Humanitarian aid cannot be negotiable. The UN is ready to deliver it in line with international law.”

Urgent call for full aid access

She urged Israel to allow unimpeded entry of humanitarian and commercial goods, while also recognising Israel’s right to live in peace and security following the 7 October attacks by Hamas and other groups.

Kaag reiterated calls for the unconditional release of hostages and an end to rocket attacks against Israel by Palestinian armed factions.

Path to peace must not fade

Declaring that peace cannot be achieved through force alone, Kaag urged action toward mutual recognition and justice, rooted in international law and human rights.

The upcoming international conference in June—co-hosted by France and Saudi Arabia—was highlighted as a pivotal opportunity to revive the peace process and advance a two-State solution.

“This must not be another rhetorical exercise. We need decisions, not just declarations,” Kaag said.

Despair on the ground

In a deeply emotional moment, Kaag shared how despair has become the norm for families in Gaza:

“They no longer say goodbye with ‘see you tomorrow’—but with ‘see you in heaven.’ Death is their daily companion.”

Calling for bold political will, Kaag emphasised that a future must be built for Gazans—not just survival.

“Statehood is a right, not a reward,” she said.

“Let us be the generation that chose justice over inertia, and peace over politics.”