LONDON: The Elders group of international stateswomen and statesmen for the first time on Tuesday called the situation in Gaza an “unfolding genocide,” saying that Israel’s obstruction of aid was causing a “famine.”
“Today we express our shock and outrage at Israel’s deliberate obstruction of the entry of life-saving humanitarian aid into Gaza,” the non-governmental group of public figures, founded by former South Africa president Nelson Mandela in 2007, said in a statement after delegates visited border crossings in Egypt.
“What we saw and heard underlines our personal conviction that there is not only an unfolding, human-caused famine in Gaza. There is an unfolding genocide,” it added.
Helen Clark, former prime minister of New Zealand, called on Israel to open the Rafah border crossing between Egypt and Gaza so aid could be delivered, after visiting the site.
“Many new mothers are unable to feed themselves or their newborn babies adequately, and the health system is collapsing,” she said.
“All of this threatens the very survival of an entire generation.”
Clark was joined by Mary Robinson, former president of Ireland and former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, on the visit.
She said that international leaders “have the power and the legal obligation to apply measures to pressure this Israeli government to end its atrocity crimes.”
The delegation “saw evidence of food and medical aid denied entry, and heard witness accounts of the killing of Palestinian civilians, including children, while trying to access aid inside Gaza,” said the statement.
They urged Israel and Hamas to agree a ceasefire and for the immediate release of remaining Israeli hostages being held in Gaza.
The London-based group also called for the “recognition of the State of Palestine,” but added “this will not halt the unfolding genocide and famine in Gaza.”
“Transfers of arms and weapons components to Israel must be suspended immediately,” it added, saying Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu should be sanctioned.
Israel has faced mounting criticism over the 22-month-long war with Hamas, with United Nations-backed experts warning of widespread famine unfolding in besieged Gaza.
Netanyahu is under mounting pressure to secure the release of the remaining hostages, as well as over his plans to expand the war, which he has vowed to do with or without the backing of Israel’s allies.
Hamas’s 2023 attack on Israel, which triggered the war, resulted in the deaths of 1,219 people, according to an AFP tally based on official figures.
Israel’s offensive has killed at least 61,499 Palestinians, according to the health ministry in Hamas-run Gaza, whose toll the UN considers reliable.
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Elders group of global leaders warns of Gaza ‘genocide’
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Elders group of global leaders warns of Gaza ‘genocide’
- “Today we express our shock and outrage at Israel’s deliberate obstruction of the entry of life-saving humanitarian aid into Gaza,” group of public figures said
UN says lacks billions of dollars to feed world’s hungry
- Up to 318 million people facing severe hunger in 2026
- UN agencies this year declared famine in Gaza and parts of Sudan
ROME: The UN’s World Food Programme warned Tuesday that funding cuts mean it will struggle to feed even a third of the 318 million people facing severe hunger in 2026.
“Declines in global humanitarian funding are forcing WFP to prioritize food assistance to roughly one third of those in need,” targeting 110 million of the most vulnerable, it said in a statement.
That would cost $13 billion, the agency estimated – but warned that “current funding forecasts indicate WFP may only receive close to half that goal.”
The WFP’s largest donor is the United States which, under President Donald Trump, has cut foreign aid, including to UN agencies. Other big donors, including some European nations, have also shrunk their humanitarian budgets.
The 318 million people facing acute hunger is more than double the figure recorded in 2019, as conflict, extreme weather and economic instability have taken their toll, the WFP said.
UN agencies this year declared famine in Gaza and parts of Sudan, something that WFP executive director Cindy McCain called “completely unacceptable in the 21st century.”
In a foreword to the WFP’s 2026 Global Outlook report, she said the world’s response “remains slow, fragmented and underfunded.”
“Global aid now covers less than half of total needs, with steep reductions in food assistance. Almost all operations have had to cut food and cash, and prioritize which vulnerable group receive help,” she wrote.
“At the same time, attacks on aid workers have surged, revealing a growing disregard for international humanitarian law.”
For those facing hunger in 2026, 41 million people are classified as facing emergency or worse levels.
Last week, both UN food agencies – WFP and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) – warned of 16 “hunger hotspots” around the globe, from Haiti to South Sudan, saying that funding shortfalls were worsening already dire conditions.
In a joint report, the agencies said that they had so far received only $10.5 billion out of a required $29 billion to help those at risk.
“Declines in global humanitarian funding are forcing WFP to prioritize food assistance to roughly one third of those in need,” targeting 110 million of the most vulnerable, it said in a statement.
That would cost $13 billion, the agency estimated – but warned that “current funding forecasts indicate WFP may only receive close to half that goal.”
The WFP’s largest donor is the United States which, under President Donald Trump, has cut foreign aid, including to UN agencies. Other big donors, including some European nations, have also shrunk their humanitarian budgets.
The 318 million people facing acute hunger is more than double the figure recorded in 2019, as conflict, extreme weather and economic instability have taken their toll, the WFP said.
UN agencies this year declared famine in Gaza and parts of Sudan, something that WFP executive director Cindy McCain called “completely unacceptable in the 21st century.”
In a foreword to the WFP’s 2026 Global Outlook report, she said the world’s response “remains slow, fragmented and underfunded.”
“Global aid now covers less than half of total needs, with steep reductions in food assistance. Almost all operations have had to cut food and cash, and prioritize which vulnerable group receive help,” she wrote.
“At the same time, attacks on aid workers have surged, revealing a growing disregard for international humanitarian law.”
For those facing hunger in 2026, 41 million people are classified as facing emergency or worse levels.
Last week, both UN food agencies – WFP and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) – warned of 16 “hunger hotspots” around the globe, from Haiti to South Sudan, saying that funding shortfalls were worsening already dire conditions.
In a joint report, the agencies said that they had so far received only $10.5 billion out of a required $29 billion to help those at risk.
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