Text: Cindy McCain on “Confronting the Nation with Margaret Brennan”, August 31, 2025

Below is an interview with Cindy McCain, Executive Director of the World Food Program, which was broadcast on “Facing the Nation with Margaret Brennan” on August 31, 2025.

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Ed Ociv: We are now going to the CEO of the World Food Program, Ambassador Cindy McCain, who joins us this morning from Rome. The ambassador, thank you very much with us, and you are partly with us because you just returned from a trip to Gaza. A few strangers get these days to assess the situation. What did you see?

CEO of the United Nations World Food Program Cindy McCain: Well, first and foremost, thank you for covering this. I went to Gaza. I entered through the Kissufim Gate. He went to Deir Al -Bala, then to Khan Yunus and went out through the Gate of Karim Shalom Shalom. I saw a lot of destruction. I saw a lot of hunger. I saw people waiting for long lines of water. You know- what you expect to see in such a situation. There- there is a clear despair on- in the hearts and minds of people there, because there is not enough food. I met a family of 11 people who came from the north. They walked all the way. What I saw, they had pictures they brought with their property, and I saw somewhat before and after the pictures. And there- I did not even get to know these people. They have weight loss, malnutrition, pressure, and everything- the losses that affect their families. It is really, it’s really a devastating situation, and something we need to ask for a fire now and make sure we are able to get there and nourish it.

Ed Ociv: However, Israel has declared a combat area, ends humanitarian, and intensified air strikes throughout the city. Gaza, of course, is one of the areas in which a global screen has confirmed. You talk about the hunger that I saw in that region and around it. What does the most aggressive military attack in that area of ​​Gaza City mean?

McCain: Well, it will limit the amount of food they can reach. Of course, the risk alone is another completely part of that, as you know, and it is not easy for human relief workers to get there to ensure that we can do our work. The only thing I was saying throughout situations like Gaza City and others is that humanitarian relief workers are not targets. They are not goals, and this must end. So I hope it is not bad as we think it will be. But I have a feeling- I have a feeling that we will see some of the most dangerous dolls.

Ed Ociv: In fact, the safety issue is raised for human workers. Last year, among the Futula style, nearly 400 people were killed in the duty line. There was a convoy on the World Food Program that was shot in Gaza last month. I mean, in the absence of a ceasefire, what should be done by the warring parties to protect human metaphors while trying to carry out this work?

McCain: Well, these people are desperate. You know- in terms of those on the ground, the trucks, etc. What we need is full, unrestricted, to be able to enter and feed, and nutrition in a way that declines panic. Second, of course, we do nothing that includes weapons or army in any way, shape or shape. This is intentionally. This is what we are. This is our mandate. It is clear that the ceasefire, as I said before, is able to enter on a large scale, without restrictions safely, constantly entering it, and entering the farthest sites where we cannot get food in the most vulnerable people- who are at risk now.

Ed Ociv: As part of your trip to the region, I also met Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. I described it as a fruitful meeting, and I said you discussed what you need so that you can reach. However, I also said that it is clear that there is not enough food in Gaza. And I want to read something published by the Prime Minister’s social media office. They said, in part, it is unfortunate that Mrs. McCain has since issued statements that contradict what we told us in Jerusalem. This is a distortion. Israel provides a steady flow of aid in sufficient quantities. What is your response to the Prime Minister?

McCain: Well, I stand next to what I said. There is not enough food. Without a full ceasefire and the ability to enter, as I said, on a large scale, without restrictions, making sure we are safe, and we do so as well. This is the only way we will be able to feed people. In recent weeks, we have been able to get more food. So this is an accurate statement. But this is not enough. It is simply not enough to be able to do the task and stop malnutrition, hunger, and all the things that occurred as a result. Allow me to add one thing to that, malnutrition, hunger and famine of any kind, it is not only about food. It is about water. It is about medicine. It comes to the ability to treat the full body of a person who suffers from weakness or malnutrition in this way. Therefore, it involves more than just food trucks, although this is very important, but it also includes things- special nutrition for children, as well as medications and water that need to enter all.

Ed Ociv: So let me turn you into another part of the world, because it is the World Food Program, and Sudan is the other part of the world in the midst of famine. Earlier this month, one of your bars was attacked as it was connected to this country as well. What are the challenges you face there, and you are trying to get food for the people they need in Sudan?

McCain: Well, the accident you just described, of course, attacking caravans. We are now in what we call the lean season, and so a lot of rain occurs. It makes it difficult to get heavy trucks where food needs to go. Of course, the conflict, El -Fasher is the place where famine is now, inside the Darfur region, but there is a famine in other parts of Sudan as well. Once again, it is a safe access that we need to own and like other places, and also unrestricted full access, and in a safe way for our food.

Ed Okif: Executive Director of the World Food Program, Ambassador Cindy McCain, thank you very much for bringing this important perspective for us this morning. We will see soon.

McCain: Thank you.

Ed Okiv: We will come back.