Israel’s Danon Clashes with U.N. Official Over Gaza Genocide Claims

Israeli U.N. Ambassador Danny Danon sharply rebuked U.N. official Tom Fletcher for accusing Israel of genocide in Gaza, calling the claim a "desecration" of a weighty term. Fletcher, the U.N. Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, told the Security Council that Israel is imposing "inhumane conditions" on Gaza’s civilians, citing militarized zones, displacement orders, and a 10-week halt in aid deliveries. He warned of famine, overwhelmed hospitals, and urged action to prevent genocide.

Danon fired back, accusing Fletcher of abandoning neutrality with a "political sermon" unsupported by evidence. He questioned Fletcher’s authority to make such charges and criticized his failure to address Hamas’s actions, including the October 7 attacks. Danon pointedly asked if Fletcher had done enough to secure hostages’ release or hold Hamas accountable.

Fletcher’s remarks also highlighted escalating violence in the West Bank, where a pregnant Israeli woman, Tzeela Gez, was killed in a shooting. Her baby was saved but remains in serious condition. Fletcher condemned Hamas’s "horrendous" attacks and demanded hostage releases, referencing his visit to Nir Oz, a kibbutz devastated on October 7.

OCHA’s Eri Kaneko clarified that Fletcher believes legal bodies should determine genocide claims, but stressed the need for urgent action to protect civilians. Fletcher later responded to Danon, recalling the "horror" of October 7 and urging Israel to allow humanitarian work to proceed.

This clash underscores the deepening rift between Israel and U.N. officials, with accusations of bias and selective outrage flying both ways. The humanitarian crisis in Gaza worsens, while trust between key players frays.