In Private, Some Israeli Officers Admit That Gaza Is on the Brink of Starvation

According to three Israeli defense officials familiar with the situation in Gaza, some Israeli military personnel have privately determined that a severe food crisis is imminent for Palestinians in Gaza unless aid deliveries resume within the coming weeks.

For months, Israel has maintained that its blockade on essential supplies like food and fuel in Gaza did not pose a significant risk to civilian life. However, the United Nations and other humanitarian organizations have repeatedly warned that the region is on the brink of famine.

In recent days, Israeli military officers monitoring humanitarian conditions in Gaza have alerted their superiors, stating that unless the blockade is lifted promptly, many areas will soon run out of sufficient food to meet basic daily nutritional requirements. The defense officials, who shared these insights on the condition of anonymity, emphasized the urgency of taking immediate action to ensure aid can be delivered quickly enough to prevent starvation.

The acknowledgment of a potential hunger crisis among some in the Israeli security apparatus contrasts sharply with Israel’s public stance on the blockade. While the government has asserted that there has been no major shortage of civilian support, military officers tasked with assessing conditions in Gaza have privately expressed growing concern.

The unfolding humanitarian crisis comes as Israel pledges to intensify its military operations in Gaza, aiming to dismantle Hamas and secure the release of remaining hostages—two objectives that remain unachieved after 19 months of conflict. On Tuesday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu affirmed that military action would resume “in full force” to “finish the job” and “eliminate Hamas.”

On the same day, U.S. President Donald Trump arrived in Saudi Arabia, marking his first significant international visit since being re-elected. Notably, he did not visit Israel, underscoring a growing rift between Trump and Netanyahu, who now differ on some key security issues.

Meanwhile, the United Nations’ World Food Program, which coordinates aid shipments to Gaza, has reported that its food stocks have been depleted. Additionally, most bakeries in Gaza have shuttered, and charity kitchens have also begun to close. On Monday, the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification, a U.N.-backed initiative, issued a warning that famine in Gaza was imminent.

If Israel proceeds with its planned military escalation, the U.N. initiative cautioned that the “vast majority” of Gaza’s population could be deprived of basic necessities, including food, water, shelter, and medicine. The Israeli military and the Ministry of Defense declined to comment on the military officers’ internal assessments of the escalating food crisis.

Oren Marmorstein, a spokesperson for Israel’s foreign ministry, stated that while he could not disclose specifics of internal discussions, the ministry is in constant communication with all relevant agencies to monitor the humanitarian situation in Gaza.

Israel’s restrictions on aid deliveries to Gaza have been a contentious issue throughout the conflict. In March, Israel severed supply lines to Gaza just before breaking a cease-fire with Hamas, which, despite suffering significant losses, continues to hold territory in Gaza.

Israel maintains that the blockade is intended to prevent Hamas from accessing and profiting from food and fuel intended for civilians. A senior Israeli defense official explained that the objective is to weaken Hamas and potentially force the release of hostages taken during the group’s October 2023 attack on Israel, which triggered the ongoing conflict.

At a U.N. Security Council meeting convened on Tuesday by European nations, U.N. humanitarian chief Tom Fletcher accused Israel of “deliberately imposing inhumane conditions” on Gaza’s civilian population. He urged the council to take decisive action to prevent what he described as a potential genocide.

Despite Israel’s public claims that the blockade has not significantly impacted civilian aid, humanitarian groups have consistently warned that civilians would bear the brunt of the restrictions. As food prices soar, many Gazans report subsisting on as little as one meal a day. The cost of flour has surged 60-fold since late February, and incidents of looting have increased.

Khalil el-Halabi, a 71-year-old retired U.N. official in Gaza City, described his deteriorating condition, stating that he has lost over 80 pounds and feels too weak to walk. His daughter, who recently gave birth, is unable to breastfeed due to severe malnutrition, and there is no baby formula available.

Specialist officers within COGAT, the Israeli government body overseeing Gaza and the West Bank, have independently corroborated the findings of aid agencies. After assessing food stock levels, monitoring aid deliveries, and consulting with Palestinians, they have warned that Gaza is only weeks away from a severe food crisis.

Last week, an Israeli general briefed the cabinet on the worsening situation, warning that supplies would likely run out within weeks. This assessment was first reported by Israel’s Channel 13 and confirmed by multiple defense officials.

The Trump administration has reportedly been working with Israel on a plan to resume aid deliveries, potentially involving private organizations distributing food at specific locations in Gaza. The Israeli military would secure the perimeters of these distribution centers, while private security firms would patrol the interior.

However, the proposal has been criticized by humanitarian agencies, including the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, which argues that it would place civilians at greater risk and make it more difficult to reach those in need. The plan would consolidate the current 400 distribution points into a handful of locations, forcing many civilians to travel long distances to access aid.

Experts on international conflict laws argue that restricting aid deliveries to the extent that it causes widespread starvation constitutes a violation of international law. Janina Dill, co-director of the Oxford Institute for Ethics, Law, and Armed Conflict, stated that knowingly enforcing a blockade that leads to starvation is a war crime.

“When officials acknowledge that the objective of the blockade is to extract political and military concessions, it becomes a clear violation of international law,” Dill said.