Jerusalem (EFE).- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday framed control over the narrative on Gaza as an \u201ceighth front\u201d in the country\u2019s war, aimed at countering accusations of genocide and deliberate famine tied to Israel\u2019s offensive in the enclave.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSeven fronts against Iran and its proxies. The eighth: the battle for the truth,\u201d Netanyahu said during a ceremony hosted by United States network Newsmax at Jerusalem\u2019s Waldorf Astoria hotel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIsrael does not have a policy of starvation,\u201d the prime minister said, responding to Gaza Health Ministry figures reporting at least 235 deaths from malnutrition, including 106 children.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Netanyahu claimed the Israeli army warns civilians to leave combat zones, but Hamas prevents evacuations by shooting at those attempting to flee. \u201cAnd they blame Israel for genocide, it\u2019s ridiculous,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
These warnings refer to evacuation orders issued before ground advances or airstrikes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, residents and humanitarian groups say attacks have often occurred without prior notice. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
As a result of such displacements, over 425,000 people are sheltering in tents on Gaza\u2019s Mawasi beaches, and another million are in Gaza City. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Last Friday, Israel\u2019s security cabinet approved expanding the offensive to both areas. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Netanyahu\u2019s remarks come as international organizations, including Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, Israeli groups B\u2019Tselem and Physicians for Human Rights, accuse Israel of committing genocide in Gaza. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The death toll from the offensive has surpassed 61,500, according to local authorities. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The International Court of Justice is currently hearing a genocide case against Israel brought by South Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Meanwhile, a surge in deaths linked to malnutrition, more than half of the 235 recorded since October 2023 occurred after July, and has intensified criticism. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The trend has pushed countries such as the United Kingdom, France, and Canada to signal plans to recognize a Palestinian state in September.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification, used by the UN, reports that Gaza has reached two of three famine thresholds: a sharp drop in food consumption and acute malnutrition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A famine has not yet been officially declared because the third criterion, mortality from starvation, has not been fully verified.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, the UN has warned that \u201cthere is growing evidence that widespread hunger, malnutrition, and disease\u201d are driving up hunger-related deaths. EFE <\/p>\n\n\n\n
pbj\/seo<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"