Tel aviv: Israeli authorities have refused to renew the visa of Jonathan Whittall, the Head of the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) in the occupied Palestinian territories. This decision follows Whittall's vocal criticism of Israel's actions concerning the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
According to Palestine News and Information Agency - WAFA, Whittall has condemned the Israeli government's conduct, particularly emphasizing its impact on the starving civilian population in Gaza. He described the events in Gaza as a massacre and accused Israel of using hunger as a weapon in a deliberate campaign to eradicate Palestinian life in the region.
Whittall stated, "What we are witnessing is a massacre. Hunger is being used as a weapon. This is forced displacement. This is a death sentence for people who are simply trying to survive." He further asserted that these actions appear to be part of a systematic effort aimed at eliminating Palestinian existence from Gaza.
Since October 7, 2023, the ongoing conflict has resulted in over 200,000 Palestinians being killed or injured, with women and children comprising the majority of the casualties. In addition, more than 9,000 individuals are reported missing, and the region is grappling with severe starvation, worsened by the destruction of infrastructure and the blockade of humanitarian aid.
