Opinion Express View on hunger war on Gaza: It must end

Starvation spectres loom over Gaza. For weeks, kitchens run by aid organisations such as the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) and the World Food Programme (WFP) were the only dependable sources of food in the war-ravaged territory. Although these kitchens could only meet around 25 per cent of the daily nutritional needs of roughly half the population, according to UNFP data, they remained a crucial lifeline. That lifeline was severed in early March, when Israel imposed a total ban on the entry of humanitarian aid — just days before a fragile ceasefire, in effect since January 19, collapsed amid renewed Israeli strikes. This is the longest period so far during which Gaza has been completely cut off from aid since the war began following Hamas’s attack on October 7, 2023. Thousands of Palestinians are facing severe hunger and malnutrition, further compounded by a shortage of clean water.

Israeli officials have signaled a policy of using starvation as leverage to pressure Hamas into releasing the remaining hostages. Such tactics are, of course, a clear violation of international law — under the Geneva Conventions, occupying powers are obliged to ensure that food and essential supplies reach civilian populations. This blockade of aid has become so normalised that even modest proposals to resume it are met with fierce resistance. When Israel’s Defence Minister proposed a “civilian-based distribution infrastructure”, he faced immediate backlash. National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir has said, “There is no need to bring in aid [to Gaza]. They have enough. Hamas’s food stores should be bombed.” Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has gone further, saying that starvation is “justified and moral” if it secures the release of hostages. Hamas, on the other hand, has declared it will no longer engage in negotiations unless Israel ends what it terms a “hunger war”. Millions of displaced Palestinians remain trapped in a man-made calamity with no end in sight.

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Israel must be compelled — by its closest ally, the United States, and by the international community at large — to establish secure humanitarian corridors without delay. While US President Donald Trump said that he has publicly urged Israel to resume aid, and Canada’s new prime minister and several European allies have echoed these calls, more decisive pressure is required. Instead of focusing on ceasefire negotiations, Israel has announced an “intensified” offensive. These plans risk completely derailing the Arab-led efforts to broker a ceasefire and initiate post-war reconstruction. By blocking aid and escalating its military campaign, Israel will continue to subject Gaza’s civilians to collective suffering. This strategy will not defeat Hamas. Rather, it will further destabilise the region and fuel more conflict. Only sustained dialogue can pave the way to a lasting ceasefire — and, ultimately, a durable peace.