LONDON: Israel’s military operation in Gaza is no longer a war against militants but has become a “destruction of a civilization,” a top aid official said, warning that time is running out to prevent a “biblical famine” in the besieged enclave.
In an interview with CNN on Tuesday, Jan Egeland, secretary general of the Norwegian Refugee Council, said Israel’s continued bombardment and restrictions on aid access have left Gaza’s civilian population, particularly women and children, to suffer the consequences of a conflict they had no part in.
“What I see is that, as a military conflict, it was all over a long time ago,” Egeland told anchor Bianna Golodryga. “This is not targeted anti-terrorist warfare, it’s the destruction of a civilization now.”
The veteran humanitarian said there are no justifications for the war on Gaza, which has killed more than 60,000 people and pushed the enclave’s population of 2.2 million to the brink of famine.
“Hamas has a million sins on their conscience … but those dying (and) bleeding have nothing to do with Hamas. These are women and children. They had nothing to do with Oct. 7,” he said, calling for an immediate ceasefire and an urgent and large-scale opening of Gaza’s border crossings to allow full access for aid groups.
