Senior UN officials lobby Netanyahu privately to allow relief to Gaza, Lebanon: Report

The humanitarian crisis caused by Israel's offensives on Gaza and Lebanon has deteriorated so much that the heads of the United Nations World Food Programme and UN's children's agency Unicef privately appealed to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for a reprieve, according to a letter seen by Reuters on Monday.

"Effective and meaningful humanitarian action is possible with your political will and commitment,"  Unicef Executive Director Catherine Russell and WFP Executive Director Cindy McCain wrote in a letter to Netanyahu earlier in October. 

The direct appeal underscores how Israel has brushed aside pleas from other world leaders to address the crisis and the US's decision not to wield leverage to change Israel's behavior. 

"We call on your support, as Prime Minister, to ensure that the government of Israel upholds its obligations and commitments to enable effective emergency relief operations, and to protect the safety and security of our staff and the civilians they serve," the letter said.