Tel Aviv, February 14 (RHC)-- While the United Nations is warning Gaza is on the brink of famine, Israel’s Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has admitted he is blocking a U.S.-funded shipment of flour into Gaza despite a promise that Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu personally made to President Biden several weeks ago. 

According to reports from Tel Aviv, Smotrich blocked the flour shipment after learning it would be distributed by the U.N. aid agency UNRWA.

Meanwhile, in the city of Khan Younis, the Israeli army has forced hundreds of patients, staff and displaced Palestinians to evacuate Nasser Hospital, which has been under an Israeli siege for weeks. Israeli snipers killed at least three people at the hospital on Tuesday.

In other news, Politico is reporting the Joe Biden administration is not planning to punish Israel if it launches a military campaign in Rafah without ensuring civilian safety, despite public calls by President Biden to protect civilians. 

Displaced Palestinians in Rafah say there are no safe places for them to go to.  One displaced mother, Nahla Jarwan, told reporters: “We hope the war ends, ends quickly.  We’re tired of fleeing from one city to another.  We’re so tired, I swear to God.  People are tired.  I’m hoping the world stands with us and looks at us with a kind, merciful eye.  We’re tired.  We’re always crying.  Martyrs, shelling, destruction, death, starvation, thirst.  There is no food.”