14 UN Security Council members call for action to address famine in Gaza

Fourteen members of the United Nations Security Council issued a joint statement Wednesday, calling for immediate action to address famine in the Gaza Strip and describing the humanitarian situation as a "man-made crisis."

At a press encounter at UN headquarters in the New York City, representatives from Guyana and Slovenia gave statements in their capacity as the Security Council's informal co-focal points on conflict and hunger.

They spoke on behalf of 12 other Council Members, namely Algeria, China, Denmark, France, Greece, Pakistan, Panama, the Republic of Korea, the Russian Federation, Sierra Leone, Somalia, and the United Kingdom.

The statements cited the UN-backed Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) report, which "clearly and unequivocally" confirms famine in the Strip.

Nearly 1.5 million people are facing emergency and crisis levels of food insecurity, and at least 132,000 children are projected to suffer from acute malnutrition between now and June 2026, according to the report.

"We stand in front of you, especially disturbed by the levels of acute malnutrition among children in Gaza. We note that at least 41,000 children are at heightened risk of death from malnutrition between now and June 2026. This is a man-made crisis. The use of starvation as a weapon of war is clearly prohibited under international humanitarian law. Famine in Gaza must be stopped immediately," said Trishala Simantini Persaud, Guyana's deputy permanent representative to the UN.

The co-focal points called for an immediate, unconditional, and permanent ceasefire and release of detainees, while urging Israel to lift all restrictions on humanitarian aid.

"Israel must immediately and unconditionally lift all restrictions on aid delivery. This includes opening all land routes and allowing the UN and humanitarian partners to operate safely and at scale," said Ondina Blokar Drobic, deputy permanent representative of Slovenia to the UN.

The members urged Israel to immediately reverse its decision to further expand its military operation in Gaza in order to prevent further deterioration of the humanitarian situation.

They also stressed the urgency of the situation, concluding that the humanitarian emergency must be addressed immediately.

14 UN Security Council members call for action to address famine in Gaza

Airstrikes and explosions continued on Sunday, the 23rd day of the U.S.-Israel-Iran conflict, as Iran has warned of broader retaliation if U.S. targets its power facilities.

Explosions were heard in eastern and western Tehran on Sunday night, according to a China Media Group reporter. Footage from the reporter showed that Tehran's air defense system was continuously activating to intercept incoming projectiles.

The reporter also said that the sound of the air defense system in operation was heard in northeastern Tehran on Sunday afternoon.

On Sunday, Iran's primary military command, Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, issued a statement warning that power plants in countries hosting U.S. bases would be considered legitimate targets if the United States attacks Iran's power facilities.

The statement came in response to remarks by U.S. President Donald Trump threatening to target Iran's power infrastructure, according to Iranian state media Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting.

Trump threatened on Saturday to "hit and obliterate" Iranian power plants if the country fails to fully open the Strait of Hormuz within 48 hours.

The Strait of Hormuz has not been fully closed and remains under Iran's "smart control," with non-harmful transit continuing under specific regulations to ensure national security and interests, the statement from Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters said.

If U.S. threats are carried out, Iran would immediately adopt several punitive measures, including the full closure of the Strait of Hormuz until damaged Iranian facilities are rebuilt, it said.

Other measures would include large-scale strikes on Israel's power, energy and communications infrastructure, attacks on regional companies with U.S. capital ties, and targeting power facilities in countries hosting U.S. military bases, the statement said, adding that Iran would take "all necessary measures" to defend its national interests.

On Sunday, Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian said the Strait of Hormuz is open to all "except those who violate Iran's territory."

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said on Sunday that the Israeli military struck Iranian weapons production and storage facilities.

Iran warns of broader retaliation if U.S. targets its power facilities