Shahar Segal blames Hamas and UN for hunger crisis in Gaza

In recent remarks, Shahar Segal, former spokesman for the Gaza Humanitarian Fund, addressed the humanitarian issues in Gaza, placing significant blame on both Hamas and the United Nations. Segal asserted that there are no foreign journalists currently in Gaza, which leads to a lack of diverse reliable information coming from the region. He emphasized that all narratives are primarily influenced by Hamas, suggesting that independent verification of the situation is virtually impossible due to media restrictions imposed by the group. Segal acknowledged that while hunger is indeed present in Gaza, it is critical to understand the underlying factors causing it. He highlighted the logistical challenges in delivering aid, noting that around 100 trucks are needed daily for sufficient food supply. Currently, only approximately 50 trucks are entering, with another 50 stuck in UN warehouses, awaiting distribution. This bottleneck, according to Segal, is largely due to the UN's refusal to allow the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) to secure these convoys, based on their perceived bias against Israel. Moreover, Segal criticized the UN for its quickness to blame Israel for the humanitarian crisis while simultaneously withholding essential resources. He pointed out that Hamas manipulates the hunger situation to maintain its control over the Gaza population. By controlling aid distribution, Hamas can wield significant power and influence, creating a predicament for the residents who are in dire need. Segal argued that the blame for starvation in Gaza should not be placed solely on Israel, but rather on the combination of ineffective UN policies and the strategies employed by Hamas. He indicated the pressing need for a collaborative approach that could address the food security challenges without political bias, which he believes would significantly improve the living conditions of Gazans in times of crisis.