The Israeli Minister of Foreign Affairs, Gabi Ashkenazi, reacted on Sunday to warnings about the possibility of a famine in the Gaza sector, describing them as a "cynical attempt by Hamas to exploit civilian suffering for political purposes." "Blocked resources can be used to purchase food, medicine, and other necessary goods, but instead, Hamas opts for the construction of underground tunnels and the procurement of weapons for attacks on Israel," Ashkenazi said. He added that Israel is ready to provide assistance to the residents of Gaza but firmly rejected accusations that the country blocks humanitarian aid. "We will not allow interference in our internal affairs. We will protect our security and the interests of our people," the minister concluded.
