WANA (Jul 25) – Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson on Friday pointed to the simultaneous opposition by the United States and the Israeli regime to a UN General Assembly resolution in December 2021 affirming the “right to food as a fundamental human right,” asking: “Was the starvation of Gaza’s population not premeditated?”

 

Ismail Baghaei, Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson, made the remarks today (Friday, July 25), as Gaza continues to endure severe hunger and widespread malnutrition among children. He referenced the U.S. and Israeli opposition to the 2021 resolution as a sign of preconditioning for the current humanitarian catastrophe.

 

In a post on the social platform X, Baghaei wrote: “Wasn’t the starvation of Gaza’s people pre-planned, given the simultaneous opposition by the U.S. and the Israeli regime to the UN General Assembly proposal in December 2021 recognizing the right to food as a fundamental human right?”

 

He added: “On December 16, 2021, only the United States and Israel voted against UN resolution 76/166, which sought to recognize access to food as a human right.”

 

Baghaei emphasized: “The international community was united on this issue—the resolution was supported by the entire membership of the United Nations, except for those two. Their opposition was clear and deliberate.”

 

He continued: “A notable point in this resolution is the explicit emphasis—under international humanitarian law—on the prohibition of starvation as a method of warfare.”

 

Baghaei questioned: “Does their opposition not reflect a premeditated policy to weaponize food as a tool of war?”

 

Due to the ongoing blockade of Gaza, many children are now suffering from malnutrition. On Thursday, Philippe Lazzarini, Commissioner-General of UNRWA, stated: “One in five children in Gaza City is malnourished and at risk of dying without immediate medical treatment.”

Worsening Humanitarian Situation in Gaza / WANA News Agency

Worsening Humanitarian Situation in Gaza / WANA News Agency