US Admits Food Insecurity In Gaza, Asks To Increase Aid

JAKARTA - The White House, the office of the president of the United States acknowledged the severity of the level of food insecurity in the occupied region of the Gaza Strip amid an Israeli blockade.

The White House said the area in the coastal bag needed a lot of help.

"We are aware that there is a real food security issue in Gaza, 100 percent," said National Security Council spokesman John Kirby as quoted by ANTARA from Anadolu, Friday, January 12.

"That's why food is really one of the basic ingredients for humanitarian assistance that we are trying to provide food, water medicines but food is of course at the top of the list," he said.

"We understand that many people are hungry and starving in Gaza," Krirby said, adding.

A total of 200 trucks have entered Gaza every day, according to the White House. That number is a fraction of the approximately 500 shipments that enter every day before the war emerges -- when the need is not too urgent.

Kirby confirmed that the number of trucks entering Gaza was far less.

He said more effort needed to be made, "And I assure you that we will not distract from the matter."

"We know many Gazans are suffering, not only from hunger, but because of others, and we will do everything to reduce their suffering," Kirby said.

The rampant food insecurity and in line with Israel's ongoing onslaught in Gaza is part of a genocide case at the International Court filed by South Africa.

The case began trial on Thursday, January 11 morning.

During the opening session, lawyers representing South Africa accused Israel of committing genocide, including the killing of Palestinians, causing serious physical and mental suffering, mass expulsion from homes, and evacuation.

As well as implementing actions aimed at preventing the birth of Palestinians and the seizure of access to adequate food, water, shelter, sanitation, and medical assistance.

Israel denies the allegations and will present rebuttals in The Hague, Netherlands.

The White House also opposed the allegations by considering them baseless. Kirby reiterated the US position.

"We have repeatedly said that we believe this accusation, this case is baseless, and there is no basis for allegations of genocide by Israel," he said.

"That's not a word that can be uttered lightly," Kirby said, "In our opinion, it cannot be used in this regard."

There have been 23,357 Palestinians killed since October, and about two-thirds of them are women and children, while 59,410 people have been injured, according to Palestinian health authorities.

Thousands of missing people are believed to have died under the rubble of Israeli-bombed buildings.

About 85 percent of Gaza's population has fled.

The United Nations (UN) warned that hunger is likely to occur without major changes to the status quo. Hundreds of thousands of people live without shelter or are in emergency camps.

Israel started the war inGaza in retaliation for a cross-border attack by Palestinians, Hamas, on October 7, which killed about 1,200 people, and more than 200 people were held hostage to Gaza.

About half of the hostages are still being held.