Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has doubled down on his government’s decision to launch a fresh military offensive in Gaza, defending the move as a necessary response to security threats while brushing off allegations of a worsening humanitarian crisis in the region. Amid mounting global concern over civilian casualties and reports of malnutrition, Netanyahu asserted that claims of widespread hunger are baseless, stating, ‘Israel is facilitating aid entry, and there is no famine here.’ His remarks come as international organizations warn of catastrophic conditions for Gaza’s 2.3 million residents after months of conflict.
The prime minister framed the renewed operations as critical to dismantling Hamas’ infrastructure and rescuing hostages taken during the October 7 attacks. ‘This is not a war of choice but a war of survival,’ Netanyahu said during a press briefing, emphasizing Israelâs right to self-defense. However, his dismissal of humanitarian concerns has drawn sharp rebukes from global leaders and aid agencies. The UN and multiple NGOs have documented severe shortages of food, water, and medical supplies, with some reports indicating acute malnutrition among children in northern Gaza.
Netanyahuâs government maintains that it is coordinating with international partners to ensure aid delivery and has accused Hamas of looting relief supplies. Still, aid workers on the ground describe a logistical nightmare, citing damaged infrastructure, military checkpoints, and ongoing hostilities as barriers to effective distribution. Meanwhile, the death toll continues to climb, with Gaza health officials reporting over 37,000 fatalities since the war beganâa figure Israel contests as inflated. As diplomatic efforts to broker a ceasefire falter, the prime ministerâs defiant stance underscores the deepening divide between Israelâs security imperatives and global calls for de-escalation and humanitarian access.
