Israel, Hamas Accused of Starving: UN, IDF Trade Blame

Since October 7, 2023, Gaza has endured one of the most severe humanitarian crises in recent memory, as conflict intensifies between Israel and Hamas. Central to this crisis are mounting claims from the United Nations, international human rights groups, and Israeli officials—each accusing the other side of contributing to widespread starvation.

On August 6, 2025, the U.N. Security Council convened an emergency session to address these accusations. During it, Israel demanded the release of emaciated hostages, while many Council members blamed Israel for the Gaza famine. Below is an in-depth examination of the competing narratives and their implications.

1. UN Accusations: Israel Weaponizing Starvation

U.N. Experts & Reports

UN-appointed rights experts including the special rapporteur on the right to food, Michael Fakhri, have accused Israel of engaging in a “targeted starvation campaign” against Palestinians—a violation of international humanitarian law and potentially a war crime. Some have even characterized it as genocidal violence.

Reports from UN agencies, including UNOCHA and WHO, paint a dire picture: famine-like conditions, acute malnutrition among children, and insufficient deliveries of food, water, medicine, and fuel. In northern Gaza, the denial of aid reportedly occurred up to 28 times in mid‑October alone.

The Independent International Commission has ruled that famine is taking hold, while Oxfam, Human Rights Watch, and EuroMed Monitor described the situation as war crimes and collective punishment. According to Human Rights Watch, this constitutes the worst man-made famine in 75 years.(https://mediawala.live/)

Aid Access Obstacles

Humanitarian groups report major constraints due to border closures, severe inspection protocols, and limited crossing points. Cairo’s Rafah crossing was shut, while Israel limited aid entry through the Kerem Shalom corridor, citing security concerns that aid could be weaponized by Hamas. The result: only a fraction of necessary aid entered Gaza.

2. Israel’s Response: Denials, Aid Delivery, Blaming Hamas

Denying Deliberate Starvation

Israeli officials have strongly rejected any suggestion of a policy aimed at starving Gazan civilians. A senior diplomat argued that accusations stem from a Hamas-led media campaign, not factual reporting. Israel asserts that it has facilitated massive aid shipments—94,000 truckloads, theoretically sufficient to feed Gaza for two years—and that lingering distribution failures lie at the UN’s doorstep.

Claims Against Hamas

IDF spokespeople claim that while aid reaches Gaza, Hamas orchestrates looting and misappropriation of supplies, preventing civilians from receiving food. Brigadier General Effie Defrin reported that nearly 900 trucks had entered Gaza, distributing 16,000 aid packages through partner NGOs, intended to support families for weeks.

Despite Israel’s claims, as of early August, UNOPS reported nearly 90% of UN aid trucks were looted en route—only about 12% successfully reached their intended recipients. While Israel attributes this to Hamas, the UN pointedly noted there’s no definitive proof linking the militant group to the looting.

Israel further defends its operations by highlighting its airdrop program, humanitarian pauses, and opened corridors. Military sources emphasize these efforts rebut claims of intentional starvation and highlight wartime logistics difficulties.

3. The Hostage Crisis: Hamas Under Fire

Video Evidence of Emaciation

In early August 2025, Hamas released harrowing footage of Israeli hostage Evyatar David—shown severely emaciated and digging what he believed to be his own grave in a Gaza tunnel. His family asserts that he is being cynically starved for propaganda. Similar footage of other hostages has surfaced.

Prime Minister Netanyahu used this evidence to draw analogies with Nazi-era abuses and to appeal for Red Cross intervention. Israel insists Hamas is selectively starving hostages while enjoying supplies. The Israeli Foreign Minister framed the global narrative as biased and antisemitic.

4. Humanitarian Toll: Famine Conditions & Desperation

Scale of Crisis

As of August 2025, more than 60,000 Palestinians have died in Gaza, including thousands from starvation. UNICEF reports that a third of children under two are acutely malnourished. Hospitals are overwhelmed, water supplies have collapsed, and food prices have soared.

Distribution Chaos

Aid distribution sites have become flashpoints of violence and desperation. Reports indicate dozens killed near aid convoys, either in stampedes or clashes. An aid convoy at Kerem Shalom was nearly entirely looted.

The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), backed by the U.S. and Israel, offers to manage distribution to avoid Hamas interference. GHF claims it has offered to deliver UN aid for free, but cooperation remains stalled due to bureaucratic and political friction.

5. Legal & Ethical Perspectives

International Law

Under the Fourth Geneva Convention, starvation as a method of warfare is explicitly prohibited. U.N. human rights officials argue that if Israel intentionally used hunger to pressure civilians, this constitutes collective punishment and possibly genocide.

Israel’s Position

Israel maintains compliance with international law, citing its rationale rooted in preventing arms smuggling. Israeli publications claim UN reports offer skewed statistics, omitting Israeli-provided data. Israeli legal scholars argue the UN narrative misrepresents on-the-ground realities.

6. International & Domestic Responses

World Reaction

Countries in the U.N. Security Council—such as the UK and Sierra Leone—largely rejected Israel’s narrative during the August 6 emergency meeting. Accusations focused on Israel’s two-month blockade and thousands of starvation deaths. Callers urged accountability while demanding hostage releases.

Meanwhile, protests across Europe and Australia, and shifting media narratives in Israeli outlets, reflect growing awareness and dissent over famine conditions in Gaza. Some pro-Israel platforms are now acknowledging the crisis.

Internal Israeli Debate

Over 600 retired security officials—including former chiefs of military intelligence—have publicly urged Israel to end the conflict, warning the blockade and military operations are undermining strategic and moral standing. Netanyahu responded by rejecting ceasefire proposals and reinforcing military plans.

7. Humanitarian Outlook & Impasse

Key Challenges

• Aid bottlenecks: Vast gaps between the aid needed (approximately 600 daily truckloads) and what is provided (fewer than 100–200 trucks).
• Distribution breakdown: Looting and chaos prevent aid from reaching those in need despite Israel’s pledges.
• Political paralysis: Hamas refuses terms requiring disarmament, while Israel pushes for total defeat, blocking ceasefire efforts.

Potential Solutions

Experts stress that only sustained humanitarian corridors, independent delivery via neutral actors, and political breakthroughs ending hostilities can mitigate famine. Aid airdrops and temporary pauses are insufficient as long-term measures.