{
  "id": 2039378,
  "title": "The European Union and the United Nations on Sunday sharply criticized Israel's far-right finance minister for saying that starving civilians in Gaza was \"a moral justification\" for the war.\n\nBezalel Smotrich made the comments in a radio interview on Thursday, saying that Israel had a \"duty\" to ensure that food and fuel continued to flow into Gaza.\n\nBut he then said that it was \"a matter of morality\" that Israelis should not provide aid to Gazans, and that doing so would be akin to \"feeding the enemy\".\n\nThe EU's foreign policy chief Josep Borrell and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres both condemned Smotrich's remarks.\n\n\"The denial of basic humanitarian needs of an entire population, through starvation or other means, is absolutely unacceptable,\" Borrell said in a statement.\n\nGuterres' spokesman said that \"the intentional starvation of civilians as a method of warfare is prohibited under international humanitarian law\".\n\nThe comments sparked outrage across the Middle East and beyond.\n\nEgypt's foreign ministry said that Smotrich's remarks \"underline the systematic and deliberate Israeli policy aimed at starving the Palestinians in Gaza\".\n\nThe ministry added that Israel's actions in Gaza were \"a grave violation of international humanitarian law and constitute a war crime\".\n\nQatar, which has been a key mediator in efforts to end the war, also condemned Smotrich's comments.\n\nThe Qatari foreign ministry said that Smotrich's remarks \"reflect a blatant disregard for international law and humanitarian principles\".\n\nThe war in Gaza has killed at least 31,000 people, according to the Hamas-run health ministry.\n\nThe ministry says that 72% of those killed have been women and children.\n\nThe war has also left 85% of Gaza's population displaced, the UN says.\n\nIsrael launched its military campaign in Gaza on October 7 in response to a cross-border attack by Hamas.\n\nThe conflict has sparked widespread international concern and criticism.\n\nThe United States, Israel's closest ally, has urged restraint.\n\nBut US President Joe Biden has faced criticism at home for his support of Israel.\n\nTens of thousands of people have protested in cities across the US, calling for a ceasefire.\n\nProtesters have also taken to the streets in other countries, including the UK, France and Australia.\n\nThe conflict has also sparked concern among Israelis.\n\nThousands of Israelis have protested against the government's handling of the war.\n\nThey have called for a ceasefire and the release of Israeli hostages held by Hamas.\n\nThe war has also had a significant impact on the region.\n\nThe conflict has disrupted trade and led to a sharp increase in food and fuel prices.\n\nIt has also raised concerns about the humanitarian situation in Gaza.\n\nThe UN has warned that the situation in Gaza is \"catastrophic\".\n\nThe organization has called for an immediate ceasefire and the delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza.\n\nThe EU and the US have also called for a ceasefire.\n\nBut efforts to end the conflict have so far been unsuccessful.\n\nThe war in Gaza continues, with no end in sight.",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/19/story-2039378",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-19T21:46:50.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Hankyoreh",
    "slug": "hankyoreh",
    "url": "https://www.hani.co.kr/arti/international/europe/1273723.html"
  },
  "original_language": "ko",
  "account": null,
  "summary": null,
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}