Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has approved a limited resumption of food aid to Gaza, citing the risk of famine and acting on Israel Defence Forces (IDF) recommendations. The decision marks the first easing of the nearly three-month-long blockade, Euronews reported on Monday.
The move coincides with the launch of Israel’s most extensive ground assault since the collapse of the March ceasefire — an operation dubbed “Gideon’s Chariots.” The campaign aims to expand Israeli control over Gaza while displacing large numbers of Palestinians, even as ceasefire negotiations continue.
The humanitarian crisis has reached a tipping point, with the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) reporting that nearly half a million Palestinians are facing “catastrophic” levels of hunger, while one million more are teetering on the brink of malnutrition. Aid agencies and food security experts warn that famine is imminent unless full access to humanitarian aid is restored and fighting subsides.
On Sunday alone, over 100 people were killed in Israeli airstrikes, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry. The bombing also forced the closure of the Indonesian Hospital, a critical medical lifeline in northern Gaza.
Netanyahu acknowledged the dire situation but maintained that aid would be tightly controlled.
“We will not allow Hamas to benefit from this aid,” he said, reaffirming Israel’s intention to block the militant group from accessing supplies.
Details on how and when the aid will be delivered remain unclear.
The military offensive comes amid ongoing ceasefire discussions. Israel is advocating for a temporary truce focused on hostage release, while Hamas demands a full Israeli withdrawal and an end to hostilities as conditions for any agreement.
Since the breakdown of the last ceasefire, nearly 3,000 more Palestinians have been killed, according to Gaza health officials. The conflict has raged since October 7, 2023, when Hamas launched a surprise attack on southern Israel, killing approximately 1,200 people — mostly civilians — and taking 251 hostages.
Israel’s response has been militarily devastating, with over 50,000 deaths reported by Hamas-run authorities in Gaza. The Israeli military has lost 856 soldiers since the conflict began.
While Netanyahu’s announcement offers a glimmer of relief, humanitarian agencies stress that partial aid is insufficient to prevent famine. Observers now watch closely to see whether diplomatic talks will produce a durable ceasefire — or if this latest escalation deepens one of the most severe humanitarian crises in the region’s history.