As Israel’s continues its brutal military offensive in Gaza, it has used humanitarian aid blockade as a tool to achieve its stated war goals, including the defeat of the Palestinian movement Hamas.
The Israeli government has long claimed that it blocks the entry of humanitarian assistance to “prevent Hamas from seizing them.” Israel’s policies have faced harsh criticism from the international community and aid agencies as the humanitarian conditions in the Strip are rapidly deteriorating, pushing its civilian population towards famine and starvation.
Blocking Aid
During an interview with CNN, the Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, went silent when faced with a question regarding Israel’s blockade of humanitarian aid entry into Gaza. The interviewer, Dana Bash, questioned Netanyahu about his claim that Hamas was looting aid supplies and selling them for money.
“So, why won’t you allow more food trucks to drive through the border crossings into Gaza to feed starving civilians while you continue to take out Hamas?” she asked.
“The problem isn’t getting the trucks in. The problem is that once they are getting in there, looted by Hamas or looted by gangs,” Netanyahu replied.
The Hard Question
After listening to the Israeli Prime Minister’s claims, Bash asked a question that Netanyahu seemed unable to answer.
“In the north you think you have destroyed Hamas. If Hamas isn’t in the north, then how is Hamas taking away the food? And if you open up more border crossings and give more food into the area, allow starving people to eat, the looting, maybe, would subside. That’s human nature, no?”
Then came a moment of silence.
Expanding Military Operations
On March 2, 2025, Israel imposed a total blockade on the entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza, before resuming its military operations in the Strip on March 18, to increase pressure on Hamas to release the remaining hostages. The blockade has forced community kitchens to close due to the lack of supplies and the depletion of food stocks, exacerbating malnutrition and hunger.
Moreover, Israel announced late on Friday it had begun the first stages of Operation ‘Gideon’s Chariots,’ expanding its military campaign in Gaza by “launching extensive attacks and mobilizing forces to seize strategic areas in the Gaza Strip.”
In April, the Israeli security cabinet approved a plan for an expanded military operation in Gaza, which included evacuating Palestinians from northern and central Gaza before expanding operations in those areas. The Israeli military also issued tens of thousands of call-up orders for reservists for a potential expansion of operations in Gaza.
