Israel faces growing global outrage as forced starvation kills Palestinian children; UN warns airdrops are dangerous and ineffective
The United Kingdom has said it is working with Jordan on “forward plans” to airdrop humanitarian aid into besieged Gaza and evacuate children in urgent need of medical care, amid mounting international condemnation of Israel’s blockade and starvation tactics against Palestinians.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer confirmed the move during an emergency call on Saturday with French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. According to a Downing Street readout, the leaders agreed “it would be vital to ensure robust plans are in place to turn an urgently needed ceasefire into lasting peace.”
“The prime minister set out how the UK will also be taking forward plans to work with partners such as Jordan to airdrop aid and evacuate children requiring medical assistance,” the UK government said in the statement.
Two more Palestinian infants died from malnutrition on Saturday, bringing the death toll from starvation in Gaza to at least 127, including over 80 children, according to Gaza’s health ministry.
UN Slams Airdrops as “Screensmoke” and “Dangerous Distraction”
But Philippe Lazzarini, Commissioner-General of the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), criticized the proposed airdrops as an “expensive, inefficient” distraction from the real issue — Israel’s total siege of the territory.
In a strongly worded social media post, Lazzarini warned that “airdrops will not reverse the deepening starvation. They are expensive, inefficient & can even kill starving civilians.”
“A manmade hunger can only be addressed by political will. Lift the siege, open the gates & guarantee safe movements,” he added.
UNRWA has 6,000 aid trucks waiting in Jordan and Egypt, which Lazzarini said could deliver food and medical supplies more “effectively, faster, cheaper and safer” than any airdrop operation. “Driving aid through is much easier … and more dignified for the people of Gaza,” he said.
Lazzarini reiterated that “airdrops will not prevent aid diversion,” emphasizing that only “principled humanitarian assistance” can ensure delivery to those in need.
Domestic Pressure Mounts on Starmer
Starmer’s Labour government has come under fire at home for its slow response to the humanitarian crisis. Weekly mass protests against Israel’s war in Gaza have drawn hundreds of thousands across the UK since October 2023.
Public frustration deepened after over 100 arrests were made last weekend during peaceful protests calling for the government to reverse its move to ban the campaign group Palestine Action.
Demonstrations organized by Defend Our Juries took place in Manchester, Edinburgh, Bristol, Truro, and London.
Adding to the pressure, over 200 British parliamentarians this week urged Starmer to follow France’s lead in recognizing Palestinian statehood during the upcoming UN General Assembly session in September.
Meanwhile, a May report by the Palestinian Youth Movement, Progressive International, and Workers for a Free Palestine revealed that despite official claims of suspension, UK firms exported 8,630 separate munitions to Israel since September — including bombs, grenades, torpedoes, and missiles.
Hamas “Surprised” by US Withdrawal from Ceasefire Talks
In a parallel development, a senior Hamas official expressed surprise at the US decision to pull out of ongoing ceasefire negotiations, saying the move contradicted progress acknowledged by mediators Egypt and Qatar.
“We are surprised by the statements made by U.S. President Trump, and earlier by U.S. Special Envoy Mr. Witkoff, which contradict the assessment of the mediators regarding the movement’s position and do not align with the actual progress that had been made in the negotiations,” said Izzat al-Risheq, a member of Hamas’ political bureau.
The US this week pulled its negotiators from the talks, claiming Hamas was not “coordinated” or “acting in good faith.” Steve Witkoff, Trump’s Middle East envoy, said the administration was now exploring “alternative options” to secure the release of the remaining 50 hostages in Gaza — of whom Israel believes only 20 are still alive.
Al-Risheq countered that Egypt and Qatar had “expressed satisfaction and appreciation for our serious and constructive approach,” noting Hamas responded “positively and flexibly” to all proposals, particularly those involving humanitarian aid and hostages.
He emphasized that Hamas had sought “clarity and guarantees,” especially concerning the flow of aid and the proposed reduction of Israeli military buffer zones during the 60-day truce period.
“The US must play a genuine role in pressuring the occupation government to seriously engage in reaching an agreement that ends the aggression and leads to a prisoner exchange deal,” Al-Risheq added.
Aid Groups Demand Political Action to End Hunger
More than 100 humanitarian and rights organizations — including Mercy Corps, the Norwegian Refugee Council, and Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders) — issued a joint statement this week, urging governments to demand an immediate ceasefire and the lifting of all restrictions on aid.
They warned that “deepening starvation” is engulfing Gaza, as Israel’s blockade continues to deny food, fuel, and medicine to 2.1 million people.
Israel announced it would allow limited airdrops from foreign countries “in the coming days,” but UN and aid officials insist that such gestures fall far short of what is required.
“A manmade hunger can only be addressed by political will,” said Lazzarini. “Open the gates.”
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