People walking in Rafah in April 2024 - clip taken from video sourced from Telegram channel "GazaNow"
Rafah, Gaza on April 19th (video snippet)

Debunking Myths: Israel, Hamas, and Gaza’s "Humanitarian Crisis"

Details
Jay Engelmayer
Explainer

Recent criticisms levied against Israel, accusing it of a genocide-through-starvation in Gaza, fail to account for the complex realities of the ongoing conflict. These accusations often omit Hamas’ well-documented manipulation of humanitarian aid and its broader strategy of using civilian suffering to advance its political and military objectives. While the humanitarian situation in Gaza is deeply concerning, a comprehensive analysis must acknowledge the primary responsibility of Hamas in perpetuating both the violence and the resultant humanitarian crisis.

The Context: A Defensive War Against Terrorism

Israel’s recent military actions in Gaza, including restrictions on humanitarian aid, have been framed as punitive measures designed to collectively punish civilians. However, such assertions overlook the fundamental reality that Israel’s military campaign is a direct response to Hamas’ October 7, 2023, massacre, in which the terrorist organization murdered approximately 1,200 civilians and took 250 hostages. This unprovoked attack left Israel with no choice but to take defensive actions to dismantle Hamas’ operational capabilities and secure the release of the remaining hostages. Given Hamas's well-documented hijacking and hoarding of the aid which was coming through, restricting aid denies Hamas the ability to maintain their ranks by using the supplies as leverage to force a population into following its dictates. 

As a democratic nation, Israel bears the responsibility of ensuring the safety and security of its citizens. The portrayal of Israel’s military operations as disproportionate or unjust fails to recognize that no responsible government would allow continued rocket attacks, hostage situations, and terrorist activities without taking decisive action. Any discourse that ignores Hamas’ role as the primary aggressor risks distorting the nature of the conflict and reinforcing a biased narrative that undermines Israel’s legitimate security concerns.

Hamas’ Exploitation of Humanitarian Aid and Civilian Suffering

A key element missing from the current international discourse is Hamas' longstanding strategy of misappropriating humanitarian aid. Reports from military intelligence, independent investigative bodies, and defectors confirm that Hamas systematically diverts food, medicine, and essential supplies intended for civilians. Instead of facilitating equitable distribution, Hamas hoards aid for its fighters, sells supplies at extortionate prices, and manipulates access to humanitarian resources to maintain control over the population.

Additionally, Hamas has invested significant financial and material resources in constructing an extensive underground tunnel network—often beneath schools, hospitals, and residential areas—rather than using these resources for public welfare. These tunnels serve as military strongholds, facilitating terror operations while placing civilians in harm’s way. This pattern of behavior exemplifies Hamas’ prioritization of military objectives over the well-being of Gaza’s population. 

The international community’s failure to hold Hamas accountable for these actions enables its continued exploitation of humanitarian aid. Calls for Israel to permit unrestricted aid entry into Gaza without addressing Hamas’ control over its distribution are misguided. The materials used to build Hamas's tunnel network entered the Strip under the watchful eye of the international community. The intent of the materials such as concrete, steel, and everything in between light tools to heavy machinery was marked as being for the building of homes and schools. Without proper oversight, additional aid, even materials used to rebuild civilian infrastucture, risks strengthening Hamas rather than alleviating civilian suffering.

The Fallacy of ‘Starvation as a Weapon’ Allegations

The accusation that Israel is deliberately using starvation as a weapon is a gross oversimplification that disregards Hamas’ role in exacerbating the humanitarian crisis. While Israel has restricted aid as a strategic measure to pressure Hamas into negotiations—particularly for the release of hostages—this does not constitute a policy of starvation. The restrictions have been implemented alongside coordinated efforts to facilitate controlled aid distribution, yet Hamas continuously obstructs these processes.

Moreover, critics fail to acknowledge that Israel has allowed aid to enter Gaza under international mediation, despite Hamas’ persistent violations of ceasefire agreements. The refusal to release hostages and the continued rocket attacks on Israeli cities demonstrate Hamas’ unwillingness to engage in genuine de-escalation. Adding insult to the intellect of those who condemn Israel for starving a population of 2 million Palestinians are the countless videos on social media platforms from Gazans themselves that show well stocked stores, crowded outdoor markets and wide a selection of resturants, as well as those of the warehouses of Hamas that are overflowing with boxes of international aid. Thus, any analysis of the humanitarian crisis that does not factor in Hamas’ obstructionism and the truth of daily life in Gaza, presents a distorted and incomplete picture.

The Reality of Ceasefires and Hamas’ Tactical Exploitation

Historically, ceasefires with Hamas have served as tactical pauses rather than genuine efforts toward peace. In previous conflicts, Hamas has used these periods to rearm, recruit, and prepare for future attacks. The international community's pressure on Israel to agree to a ceasefire without firm conditions on Hamas’ disarmament and hostage release ignores these lessons.

For instance, a recent ceasefire proposal brokered by the United States during Ramadan and Passover was contingent upon Hamas ceasing hostilities and releasing hostages. Instead of engaging in meaningful negotiations, Hamas stalled and made excessive demands, seeking to extract unrealistic concessions while maintaining its military capabilities. This pattern underscores Hamas’ interest in prolonging conflict rather than seeking a sustainable resolution.

Casualty Figures: The Problem of Hamas-Controlled Reporting

The reported death toll in Gaza has been widely cited as evidence of Israel’s alleged excessive use of force, with claims that over 48,000 Palestinians have been killed, many of them civilians. However, these figures originate from the Gaza Health Ministry—an entity controlled by Hamas. Independent analysts and intelligence agencies have repeatedly questioned the reliability of these numbers, citing Hamas’ vested interest in inflating casualty figures and presenting its combatants as civilians to sway international opinion.

While every civilian casualty is a tragedy, it is imperative to recognize that Hamas deliberately embeds itself within densely populated areas, using schools, hospitals, and residential neighborhoods as military bases. By doing so, Hamas ensures that any legitimate military response from Israel results in civilian casualties, which it then exploits for propaganda purposes. In contrast, Israel has implemented measures such as advance evacuation warnings, targeted strikes, and humanitarian corridors—efforts rarely seen in other modern urban warfare scenarios.

Legal and Moral Considerations: Addressing Claims of ‘Genocide’

Allegations that Israel’s military actions amount to genocide or war crimes misrepresent both the legal framework of international law and the nature of the conflict itself. The crime of genocide, as defined by international law, requires an intent to systematically exterminate an entire population. Israel’s military campaign, aimed at neutralizing Hamas’ military capabilities while minimizing civilian casualties, does not meet this criterion.  

In contrast, Hamas’ deliberate targeting of civilians, mass executions, and use of human shields constitute clear violations of international law. Despite this, global institutions such as the International Criminal Court (ICC) have demonstrated a troubling double standard—swiftly scrutinizing Israel’s actions while largely ignoring Hamas’ war crimes. This selective application of justice undermines the credibility of these institutions and further distorts international discourse on the conflict.

Conclusion: A Call for Fact-Based Discourse and Genuine Peace Efforts

The current international discourse surrounding the Israel-Gaza conflict is often dominated by misleading narratives that fail to acknowledge Hamas’ responsibility for the ongoing crisis. Accusations against Israel must be examined within the broader context of Hamas’ actions, including its obstruction of aid distribution, use of civilian infrastructure for military purposes, and refusal to engage in meaningful ceasefire negotiations.

If international actors genuinely seek peace, they must shift their focus toward holding Hamas accountable. Pressuring Israel while ignoring Hamas’ continued violations only perpetuates the conflict. The path to a sustainable resolution requires dismantling Hamas’ military capabilities, ensuring hostage releases, and establishing governance in Gaza that prioritizes civilian well-being over perpetual warfare.

Until then, Israel’s actions should be understood as necessary defensive measures rather than unjustified aggression. Criticism of Israel should be grounded in factual analysis rather than narratives that distort the reality of the conflict. A balanced approach—one that recognizes Hamas’ role in perpetuating suffering—will be essential in fostering a more just and lasting resolution.

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