Gaza famine

McBride blames Netanyahu for Gaza famine

Rep. Sarah McBride told POLITICO that the Israeli prime minister is responsible for the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

By Cheyanne M. Daniels

Rep. Sarah McBride blamed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, saying his government has a responsibility for “facilitating the conditions.”

In an interview with POLITICO’s Dasha Burns for “The Conversation” podcast, McBride (D-Del.) condemned Israel’s blockade policies as the driving force behind the famine unfolding in the Middle East.

“Look, Hamas committed a horrific terrorist attack on Oct. 7th, but Israel is not without agency here,” McBride told Burns. “The responsibility for the famine that we are seeing right now, that responsibility rests on the Netanyahu government for allowing the conditions, for facilitating the conditions with the aid blockade that have resulted in the death that we’re seeing right now.”

“And the responsibility lies with them to fully remedy this,” she added.

Over the last few weeks, images of dead and malnourished children in Gaza have sparked outrage and concern from world leaders. Netanyahu has denied starvation is happening, instead arguing the claims are Hamas propaganda. President Donald Trump, in a rare dissent from Netanyahu, has said “real starvation” is happening in the strip.

But Trump has largely stuck with Israel. On Thursday, he posted on social media that “the fastest way to end the Humanitarian Crises in Gaza is for Hamas to SURRENDER AND RELEASE THE HOSTAGES!!!”

Democrats in Congress have condemned the Israeli blockade and called for the Trump administration to intervene, as international relief groups warn the dire situation will only worsen if aid continues to be withheld from the area.

“I think the outrage that you are seeing on both sides of the political aisle here and both sides at the political divide demonstrate that what is happening, if it doesn’t change, will not only undermine the U.S. and Israel’s relationship, but it could get to a point where there is such widespread opposition that the dynamic is irretrievable,” McBride said in the interview, which was conducted on Wednesday.

McBride added that there are steps that could be taken to end the “immoral” and “preventable” starvation of children. She called for the United Nations to be “completely allowed” to operate aid distribution. She also said a pause in the war is not enough — a full ceasefire needs to be reached, freeing hostages and paving the way for “sustainable peace.” And, she added, a two-state solution must be negotiated.

The full interview with McBride is available on Sunday’s episode of “The Conversation.”