A newly released study challenges the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) investigation of starvation claims against Israel and exposes Hamas’ role in controlling aid distribution, prompting the Israeli government to halt supplies into Gaza due to Hamas terrorists’ refusal to release hostages. Despite criticism from the U.N. relief chief, the Trump administration supports the move. Retired Lt. Col. Jonathan Conricus dismissed claims of starvation, attributing any hunger to Hamas corruption, not a lack of food. The study, led by nutrition and public health experts and Israeli universities, analyzed food shipments into Gaza from January to July 2024 to assess calorie intake, nutritional value, and humanitarian aid efforts, finding no evidence of famine or intentional deprivation.
Over 25,200 trucks arrived in Gaza during a ceasefire period, providing enough food for four months. The study, named “Food supplied to Gaza during seven months of the Hamas-Israel war,” analyzed food shipments based on international food standards, showing that the nutritional supply per capita met or exceeded benchmarks. Despite warnings of famine from the United Nations Integrated Food Security Phase Classification in March 2024, the study found that the food supply was sufficient and did not drop to starvation levels. While acknowledging that there may have been cases of hunger reported by some Gazans, the study confirmed that there was enough food available most of the time during the war.
The study revealed a distinction between food supply and distribution, citing Hamas’ manipulation of aid distribution as a tool of control. Hamas prioritized its fighters, sold aid on the black market, and restricted access to maintain power and profit. Despite these findings, the ICC investigation and global criticism continued without taking into account Hamas’ role in manipulating aid distribution. The ICC Office of the Prosecutor responded that their investigations involve a wide range of sources and cannot provide details of investigative activities at this stage. The U.N. spokesman failed to respond to the new findings presented in the study.
Publishing the study faced challenges due to anti-Israel bias in the scientific community, leading the researchers to submit it to a peer-reviewed journal under Springer Nature. The rigorous review process involved multiple revisions to ensure accuracy and transparency. The research team from various Israeli universities emphasized the importance of transparent data in evaluating humanitarian crises. The study highlighted the need for improved distribution of aid in Gaza, emphasizing the importance of cooperation between U.N. agencies, COGAT, and Palestinian civil society to ensure aid reaches those in need without Hamas’ interference.
In conclusion, the study challenges claims of starvation in Gaza and exposes Hamas’ role in manipulating aid distribution, urging a more coordinated effort to improve aid distribution. Despite criticism and ongoing investigations, the study provides data-driven evidence that the food supply in Gaza met international standards during the conflict. The researchers emphasized the importance of transparency and cooperation to ensure that aid effectively reaches those in need, highlighting the complexities of navigating humanitarian crises in conflict zones like Gaza.
