Israel Faces Scrutiny Over Hunger Crisis in Gaza as Aid Delays Persist

As the humanitarian situation in Gaza continues to deteriorate, Israeli officials are facing growing international criticism for their handling of the crisis.

While aid agencies report alarming rates of child malnutrition and a mounting death toll from hunger-related causes, Israeli authorities have denied responsibility - and in some cases, the existence of a famine at all.

This week, the Israeli government intensified efforts to shift blame for the crisis, arguing that if hunger does exist in Gaza, it is due to failures by Hamas, the United Nations, or other aid organisations - not Israeli policy.

These claims, however, stand in stark contrast to findings from major humanitarian groups. The World Health Organization has described the situation as a case of "man-made mass starvation," and Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) reported that a quarter of the women and children they screened last week were malnourished. The United Nations also confirmed that one in five children in Gaza City now suffers from acute malnutrition.

"We are witnessing the collapse of child health in Gaza," said a field doctor working in northern Gaza. "The scale of hunger is unlike anything we've dealt with before."

Global Response

The growing concern prompted 28 nations, including the UK, to issue a joint statement holding Israel accountable. The group condemned what they described as the "drip-feeding" of aid and the denial of basic necessities like food and clean water.

"The Israeli government's aid delivery model is dangerous, fuels instability, and deprives Palestinians of their dignity," the statement read.

Despite such criticism, Israeli officials continue to push an opposing narrative. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu offered vague reassurances that "there will be no starvation in Gaza," while a senior security official claimed images of starving children showed individuals with "underlying diseases," not hunger.

Spokesperson David Mencer added:

"There is no famine in Gaza - there is a famine of the truth."

Disputed Claims

One of the central claims made by Israeli officials is that Hamas intercepts aid meant for civilians. However, a leaked U.S. intelligence report, obtained by Reuters, found no evidence that Hamas systematically diverted American-funded humanitarian supplies. The review examined 156 incidents reported by aid partners between October 2023 and May 2025, with none directly implicating Hamas.

Israel has also accused the UN of obstructing aid delivery - despite the fact that it banned UNRWA, the primary aid agency in Gaza, earlier this year. In its place, Israel has relied on a private humanitarian foundation with limited experience and poor infrastructure, leading to chaos and deadly incidents at aid distribution points.

Operational Barriers

Further complicating the situation, the UN reported that Israel rejected half of its aid delivery requests in a single day this week. Two approved requests were later blocked on the ground by Israeli forces. Meanwhile, the visa of the UN's most senior humanitarian official in Gaza was not renewed.

UN spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric highlighted what he called a "pattern of obstruction" by Israeli authorities, noting delays and restrictions that severely impact life-saving operations.

"We are running out of time - and out of supplies," he said.

The World Health Organization echoed this warning, saying that malnutrition treatment supplies are nearly exhausted, with stocks expected to run out entirely if fresh aid is not allowed to enter Gaza soon.

Legal and Moral Responsibility

Under international law, Israel - as an occupying power - has a duty to ensure access to basic needs for the population under its control. But with the continued blockade, aid restrictions, and administrative hurdles, many humanitarian experts argue this duty is being neglected.

As the situation in Gaza grows more desperate by the day, the calls for accountability and immediate humanitarian access are growing louder. For now, however, aid convoys remain stalled at border crossings - and Gaza's children continue to suffer.