Mike Huckabee, the U.S. ambassador to Israel, blamed Hamas when asked about starvation in Gaza, saying, "Hamas has not allowed the food to get to the people who are hungry." Huckabee also addressed questions over the controversial aid sites.

Jerusalem

Israel and Iran have agreed a ceasefire after a twelve day conflict. Meanwhile, Israel strikes in Gaza continue with the humanitarian crisis deepening.

Middle East Conflict

U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee was questioned about the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza, including reports of starvation and civilian deaths near aid distribution sites. Huckabee acknowledged suffering in Gaza but attributed it to Hamas restricting food access, and expressed skepticism about some reports of violence near U.S.-supported GHF sites. The United Nations has reported over 1,400 deaths of people trying to access food, with nearly 900 occurring near GHF sites, mostly attributed to IDF gunfire. Huckabee dismissed accusations of genocide against Israel and stated that decisions regarding a full takeover of Gaza are for Israel to make.

U.S. Ambassador to Israel faces questions over starvation in Gaza

In the Middle East, the Israeli government is considering a full takeover of Gaza in its battle to destroy Hamas. That led to this protest last night at the gates of Israel's military headquarters, with protesters demanding a ceasefire and the return of hostages. Deborah Pettah spoke to U.S. Ambassador Mike Huckabee this morning about the war and humanitarian crisis. President Trump has said there's real starvation in Gaza, and he appeared deeply troubled by images of starving children. Have you been similarly moved? I'm moved when the photos are verified. But they are real images. Oh, I think that there are certainly people suffering in Gaza. It's happening because Hamas has not allowed the food to get to the people who are hungry. We spoke to the World Food Program, and they have not been shown any evidence of this at all. I'm shocked they would say that. Ambassador, the U.S. has thrown its support and money behind GHF. It's a U.S. program. And yes, it's a U.S. program. And yet, every single day, there are people dying near GHF sites. Tell me about the people dying at the GHF sites. In what way? So you have no reports of anybody being killed near a GHF site? No, we've had reports that there have been incidences. But forgive me if I'm a little skeptical when someone says, these people are being killed at the GHF sites. And if there was some random shooting of people who were coming for food, those people would be consequenced severely. According to the U.N., over 1,400 people have been killed trying to get food, mostly, they say, by IDF gunfire, nearly 900 near GHF sites. Increasingly strong language is being used about Israel's prosecution of this war, including from Israeli organizations. They've even been accused of genocide. If Israel is attempting genocide, they're really, really bad at it. They could have had genocide on October the 8th. If they were trying to commit genocide, it would not have taken them 22 months to do it. Now, we asked Ambassador Huckabee what the U.S. position was on potential plans being discussed by Prime Minister Netanyahu's Cabinet to seize and occupy the whole of Gaza. He said that is a decision only Israel can make. Gail? All right, Deborah, thank you very much.

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New York

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Moscow

Ukraine Invasion

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Washington

Global Tariffs

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State of Rio de Janeiro

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Fort Stewart

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Hiroshima

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Beijing

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Kyiv

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Beirut

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Ottawa

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Tel Aviv-Yafo

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Rome

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U.S. Ambassador to Israel faces questions over starvation in Gaza

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