The Israeli military agency for the Coordination of Government Action in the Territories (COGAT) said it “categorically rejects“ a UN-approved report that confirms for the first time that there is mass famine in part of the Gaza Strip, DPA reported, BTA reported.
The report published today makes it clear that according to the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) there is “reasonable evidence” that since August 15 in the Gaza province – administrative area that includes Gaza City, there is widespread famine.
“Previous IPC reports and assessments have repeatedly proven to be inaccurate and do not reflect the reality on the ground,“ COGAT said in “Ex“ in response to the IPC report.
COGAT head Ghassan Allian, said that “the IPC report is based on partial and unreliable sources, many of which are linked to “Hamas“, and blatantly ignores the facts and the extensive humanitarian efforts being made by the State of Israel and its international partners“.
“Instead of providing a professional, neutral and responsible assessment, the report adopts a biased approach, riddled with serious methodological flaws, and thus undermines its credibility and the trust that the international community can place in it“, Allian said.
The IPC classification comes as Israeli troops advance on Gaza City after the government approved plans to capture the metropolis of about 1 million residents in an attempt to destroy what remains of the Palestinian extremist group “Hamas“.
The new offensive has raised concerns about further suffering for civilians, who have been largely deprived of basic necessities, including food, since Israel imposed a near-total blockade on the territory earlier this year. Last month, Israel partially lifted the blockade, allowing limited aid to enter the enclave.