Hamas Accuses Israel of Whitewashing Humanitarian Efforts Amid Famine Crisis in Gaza
The Palestinian resistance movement Hamas has condemned Israel’s recent decision to resume airdrops of humanitarian aid, arguing that this move aims to “whitewash” Israel’s international image in light of a troubling increase in deaths from malnutrition in Gaza, which has elicited widespread criticism and pressure. The statement comes amid reports that over 100 non-governmental organizations are raising alarms about mass starvation among Palestinians due to the Israeli blockade, with casualties from famine continuing to rise, reports 24brussels.
Hamas contends that reintroducing airdropped aid, a method previously utilized last year, poses significant risks to civilian safety and undermines their dignity rather than offering meaningful protection or comprehensive assistance. The organization highlighted that dozens of Gazans lost their lives in 2024 due to chaotic stampedes during such aid deliveries.
“The only way to end the brutal crime of famine in the Gaza Strip is through the establishment of a comprehensive humanitarian response. This involves halting the aggression, lifting the imposed criminal siege, and fully and permanently opening land crossings to humanitarian aid, ensuring its flow and delivery to the population in accordance with mechanisms approved by the United Nations,” the statement from Hamas asserts.
Reports from Gazan medical sources confirm that as of Sunday, at least 29 individuals have died in various regions of the Gaza Strip, either while awaiting humanitarian assistance or as a result of bombings. This tragic toll comes mere hours after the Israeli army proclaimed a “tactical pause” intended to facilitate food distribution and to create “safe corridors” for the arrival of UN aid trucks.
This situation highlights the urgent need for a coordinated international response to alleviate the humanitarian crisis, as calls for a thorough investigation into the causes of the ongoing famine intensify. Activist groups emphasize that without a fundamental change in conditions on the ground, including an end to hostilities and unrestricted access to aid, the plight of Gazans will continue.
