Israel
Netanyahu orders resumption of Gaza aid to prevent ‘starvation crisis’
The move came under intense international pressure and alongside the renewed ground operation in the Strip
May 19, 2025 09:23
The move came under intense international pressure and alongside the renewed ground operation in the Strip
May 19, 2025 09:23Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday night ordered the resumption of humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip, effectively ending a blockade imposed in March.
"On the recommendation of the IDF and based on the operational need to enable the expansion of the military operation to defeat Hamas, Israel will allow a basic quantity of food to be brought in for the population in order to make certain that no starvation crisis develops in the Gaza Strip. Such a crisis would endanger the continuation of Operation Gideon's Chariots to defeat Hamas," he said, according to a statement from the Prime Minister's Office.
"Israel will act to deny Hamas's ability to take control of the distribution of humanitarian assistance in order to ensure that the assistance does not reach the Hamas terrorists," the statement added.
The move follows intense international pressure, including from Israel’s allies, over the humanitarian situation in Gaza. Israel has insisted that there is enough food in the Strip and that shortages are due to Hamas theft.
But the IDF now says that, after two months of blockade, some basic aid is needed to prevent starvation in the enclave.
A report from Israel Hayom this morning suggests that US pressure played a role in the decision, with Washington reportedly agreeing to lean on Israel to resume aid as part of the deal it struck with Hamas to secure the release of Edan Alexander last week.
It comes as a new US-backed group, the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), is set to begin operations in the Strip by the end of the month. The group aims to provide aid through a plan endorsed by Israel and supported by private American firms.
Between now and then, there will be a week-long flow of aid through existing UN and NGO channels, with the addition of extra monitoring to prevent Hamas from syphoning off supplies.
GHF Executive Director Jake Wood praised the decision, calling it an "important interim step” and confirming it honours prior commitments made to the foundation. He emphasised the urgency of immediate delivery and expressed gratitude for the Trump administration’s support.
“Through the GHF, we are building a secure, transparent system to deliver aid directly and effectively—without diversion or delay and in strict adherence to the humanitarian principles of humanity, neutrality, impartiality and independence," he added.
Israel supports what it calls “the American humanitarian plan,” which US Ambassador Mike Huckabee outlined at the American embassy in Jerusalem earlier this month. The plan sidelines international bodies such as the UN in favour of private-sector-led aid distribution, with the stated goal of ensuring better oversight and security.
Under the scheme, aid will be delivered to a limited number of “secure distribution sites” in southern Gaza, managed and protected in coordination with the Israeli military. Once in place, humanitarian supplies will be handed over to aid groups for civilian distribution.
GHF is coordinating with two American firms – UG Solutions, a security company, and Safe Reach Solutions, which specialises in logistics – to implement the operation.
Israeli foreign minister Gideon Sa’ar reaffirmed support for the American plan on Wednesday, calling it a “responsible approach to ensuring aid reaches civilians without strengthening Hamas.”
However, the announcement triggered backlash from within Netanyahu’s coalition and from hostage families.
However, far-right national security minister Itamar Ben-Gvir denounced the move in a social media post, writing: “Mr. Prime Minister, our hostages have no humanitarian aid!” He also claimed that “any humanitarian aid that enters the Strip, certainly all of it, will fuel Hamas and give it oxygen.”
Likewise, finance minister Bezalel Smotrich wrote: “Every truck that reaches Hamas in Gaza prolongs the war, strengthens Hamas, and endangers our fighters.”
Meanwhile, Israel announced on Sunday that it is exploring a broader framework for ending the war in Gaza – one that includes the release of all hostages, the expulsion of Hamas terrorists and the disarmament of the Strip.
The Israeli negotiating team in Qatar, will exhaust every opportunity to reach an agreement, the Prime Minister’s Office said.