The United Nations has strongly criticized Michael Huckabee, the newly appointed US ambassador to Tel Aviv, for defending Israel's blockade of humanitarian aid to Gaza. The UN's special rapporteur on human rights in the occupied Palestinian territories, Francesca Albanese, condemned Huckabee's remarks, which dismissed calls to pressure Israel to allow essential supplies into Gaza, instead directing his focus towards the Palestinian resistance movement, Hamas.

This ongoing blockade, now in its 50th day, has left Gaza's population struggling without basic necessities such as food, medicine, and other critical supplies. Humanitarian agencies continue to warn of an impending famine that could devastate the already suffering civilian population. Yet, Huckabee's statement ignored the urgent humanitarian crisis, shifting blame onto Hamas and suggesting that aid should only be allowed once 60 Israeli prisoners are released.

Albanese, responding to Huckabee's comments, reminded him of international law, specifically Article 8(2)(b)(xxv) of the Rome Statute, which classifies the obstruction of humanitarian aid as a war crime. She emphasized that the blockade not only exacerbates the dire conditions in Gaza but also violates fundamental international agreements, such as the Geneva Conventions, which prohibit the use of starvation as a method of warfare.

This blockade, coupled with the recent resumption of Israeli military operations in Gaza, continues to wreak havoc on the lives of Palestinians. With Israel’s brutal airstrikes resulting in nearly 1,500 deaths and thousands of injuries, the international community is increasingly questioning the silence surrounding such blatant violations of human rights. The situation remains dire, with no clear path to alleviate the suffering of Gaza's people, as political pressures and ideological divides continue to stall meaningful action.