Israel allows humanitarian aid into Gaza amid starvation fears

On May 18, 2025, Israel declared it would permit a limited amount of humanitarian aid to enter the Gaza Strip, which had been under a blockade for nearly three months. The blockade, imposed on March 2, aimed to exert pressure on Hamas amidst escalating military operations. The humanitarian situation in Gaza had reached a critical point, with reports of widespread starvation affecting over two million residents. The Israeli government faced mounting international criticism regarding its blockade, which exacerbated the already dire humanitarian conditions, prompting the decision to allow a minimal food supply into the territory. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu acknowledged that the shift in policy was influenced by external pressures from international allies who were concerned about images of hunger and starvation emerging from Gaza. He described the need to avoid a famine both for practical reasons and to maintain diplomatic relations, asserting that images of mass hunger were unacceptable. The Israeli Cabinet took this action as part of a broader military strategy; it aimed to maintain control over the aid distribution process to ensure that it did not benefit Hamas. The announcement came amidst ongoing military offensives by Israel in Gaza, where hostilities had resumed following the breakdown of a previous ceasefire. Recent military operations reportedly resulted in significant casualties, further escalating the humanitarian crisis. Israeli sources indicated that aid distribution would be overseen by a Swiss-registered organization due to claims that Hamas could exploit the aid. However, this arrangement has drawn skepticism from various aid organizations and the United Nations, which raised concerns about the independence and effectiveness of the distribution channels proposed by Israel. Despite the promise of allowing aid, officials from Israel emphasized that they would take decisive action to prevent Hamas from controlling the aid flow, which they considered critical as the military objectives unfolded. As negotiations for a ceasefire continued in Doha without significant progress, the humanitarian needs in Gaza remained urgent. While the prime minister confirmed that aid would be allowed, there were no specifics on the timeline or quantity, indicating a complex situation made more precarious by the military operations ongoing in the area. The international community remains vigilant regarding the developments in Gaza and the implications for those affected by the ongoing conflict.