In a significant policy shift, Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced the decision to allow a “minimal” quantity of food into Gaza following intense pressure from US Senate allies. This declaration comes after 11 weeks of a strict blockade, with Netanyahu emphasizing the necessity of preventing a humanitarian crisis to address both practical and diplomatic concerns.
“We must not reach a situation of famine, both from a practical and a diplomatic standpoint,” he stated in a video addressing the backlash against the decision within Israel. Netanyahu further clarified that these food deliveries would only proceed until Israeli military forces, along with American companies, set up distribution hubs under a US-backed plan that has faced rejection from the United Nations.
Escalating military actions and humanitarian concerns
As the situation evolves, Israeli airstrikes on Monday reportedly resulted in the deaths of at least 20 individuals across Gaza, as confirmed by first responders and local hospitals. The Israeli military disclosed that it had targeted over 160 locations within a single day, leading to the evacuation orders for the southern city of Khan Younis and its eastern suburbs, where residents were warned of an impending “unprecedented attack”.
The blockade, which halted all humanitarian and commercial supplies to Gaza on March 2, was lifted only two weeks later, marking the resumption of military actions following a two-month ceasefire with Hamas. According to Israeli officials, the measures were intended to exert pressure on Hamas for the release of hostages taken during the conflict. The renewed military offensives have resulted in over 3,000 fatalities and displaced approximately 400,000 individuals, with the UN reporting dire shortages of essential supplies, including food and medicine.
Recent reports from the Hamas-run health ministry indicated that 57 children have succumbed to malnutrition over the past 11 weeks. The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC), backed by the UN, highlighted that half a million people—approximately one in five Gazans—are at risk of starvation. The UN has reiterated Israel’s obligations under international law to facilitate food and medical aid for Gaza’s residents.
Internal opposition and continued conflict
Despite Netanyahu’s announcement, significant opposition emerged within his cabinet. Notably, far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir labeled the move as a “grave mistake” that would inadvertently empower Hamas while hostages remain in peril. Responding to the criticisms, Netanyahu reiterated the necessity of food aid to prevent famine, stating, “Since the beginning of the war, we said that in order to achieve victory – to defeat Hamas and to free all our hostages, two missions that are intertwined – there is one necessary condition: We must not reach a situation of famine.”
“We cannot handle images of starvation,” he quoted concerns expressed by US senators, emphasizing the urgency of the situation.
In light of these developments, Israeli Army Radio reported that nine lorries carrying humanitarian aid, including baby food, were set to cross into Gaza on Monday, though immediate confirmation from the Israeli military body overseeing crossings was pending. Concurrently, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) noted that discussions with Israeli authorities were underway regarding the resumption of limited aid deliveries.
Netanyahu asserted that Israeli forces are engaged in intense combat operations in Gaza, with a primary objective of dismantling Hamas and securing the release of the remaining hostages. Negotiations between Israel and Hamas continue in Qatar, but both sides have indicated a lack of progress towards a ceasefire and hostage release agreement.
The military campaign initiated by Israel followed Hamas’s cross-border attacks on October 7, 2023, which resulted in the deaths of approximately 1,200 individuals and the abduction of 251 others. Since the onset of the conflict, Gaza’s health ministry reports that over 53,475 people have died, including 3,340 since the resumption of the Israeli offensive.