Aid in Gaza: A Struggle for Survival

9th July 2025

3 minutes read

Hamas cannot be solely blamed for this crisis; Israel’s occupation bears the greatest responsibility for the ongoing catastrophe.

The humanitarian situation in Gaza worsens by the day. Distribution centers for aid have become battlegrounds—not only among the hungry and desperate but also between competing factions driven by narrow interests and deadly political agendas. As Israel continues its suffocating blockade, transforming the territory into an unbearable prison, field reports reveal that some Hamas members have interfered with or even seized humanitarian aid, redirecting it toward “the resistance” and its affiliates.

This tragic reality is illustrated through countless distressing images: a starving population, a local authority weaponizing food convoys, and Israeli aggression cutting off every last lifeline. Multiple reports and field footage point to systematic attempts to obstruct the flow of aid—not random chaos but deliberate actions by those seeking to control the population’s only remaining survival mechanism.

Accusations against Hamas include confiscation of aid and disruptions to distribution. If proven, these are not just violations of international law—they represent an additional humanitarian disaster layered atop Gaza’s endless suffering.

The worsening security situation around aid distribution sites is more than a logistical issue—it signals deepening despair and growing public outrage. When essential supplies fail to reach those in need, hunger becomes a weapon. And those who suffer most are once again civilians—children, women, and the elderly—living on the margins, clinging to the hope that a food truck might cross the border.

If such practices continue, humanitarian organizations may be forced to suspend or drastically reduce their operations due to safety concerns. This would cause a total collapse of Gaza’s fragile humanitarian network. Who, then, will deliver food, medicine, and water to hundreds of thousands of people? Are local authorities capable of filling this massive gap under such volatile conditions? Evidence suggests otherwise.

But Hamas is not solely to blame. Since the start of the war, Israel has imposed a complete blockade, barring food, fuel, medicine—even clean water. Only limited aid has been allowed in, and even that is delayed through bureaucratic obstacles at the Kerem Shalom crossing.

The numbers are alarming: over half a million people are on the brink of famine, according to UNICEF. Meanwhile, Israel destroys crops and prevents fishermen from reaching the sea. There are also reports of the Israeli military deliberately targeting aid convoys—dozens of Palestinians were killed while waiting in line for food.

The worst-case scenario is no longer distant. If Israel continues to restrict aid, and Hamas continues to obstruct its fair distribution, Gaza could face a real famine, killing thousands without a single bullet. The United Nations has warned that Gaza is on the verge of total collapse, with no healthcare or security systems left to manage the crisis.

So, who will bear responsibility? Israel will blame Hamas. Hamas will accuse Israel. But it is the Palestinian people who will suffer. The international community, which has remained passive throughout this slow-motion genocide, will likely respond with little more than statements of condemnation—while Gaza turns into an open grave.

This crisis cannot continue to be politicized. Humanitarian aid is not a favor—it is a legal right under international law. Any obstruction, whether by the occupying force or by local authorities, constitutes a crime against humanity. It is time to open the crossings completely, to enforce international oversight, and to ensure aid reaches civilians without interference.

Gaza is dying. The world has no time left for political games. Only two outcomes remain: a full-scale rescue effort—or a catastrophe that will stain human history forever.