Israel announces 'limited' end to 3-month humanitarian aid blockade in Gaza

Israel announced Sunday that it will allow a limited amount of humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip, after a three-month blockade. — Image credit: AP Photo/Mahmoud Essa, File

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Summary

Israel allows limited aid

Following nearly three months of a humanitarian aid blockade that exacerbated widespread starvation across the Gaza Strip, Israel announced Sunday that it would allow a limited amount of humanitarian aid into the region

Mitigate 'hunger crisis,' continue offensive

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the country will allow "basic" food into Gaza, to avoid a "hunger crisis" and expand a military offensive.

International organizations warn of famine

The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification reported that nearly 500,000 Palestinians in Gaza face catastrophic levels of hunger. Another 1 million residents are struggling to access enough food.

Full story

Following nearly three months of a humanitarian aid blockade that exacerbated widespread starvation across the Gaza Strip, Israel announced Sunday, May 18, that it would allow a limited amount of humanitarian aid into the region. Israel has blocked all humanitarian aid from entering the beleaguered territory since March 2.

According to The Associated Press, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Cabinet approved a “basic” amount of food that will be distributed to Gaza’s more than 2 million residents. Netanyahu added that his country is allowing aid in so that it can mitigate the “hunger crisis” and expand its military offensive, which has already killed more than 200 people over the past 48 hours.

The AP notes that it isn’t clear when or how the aid will begin to enter Gaza. However, Netanyahu has vowed that Hamas will not be in control of distribution, nor will the militant group have access to it.

On Saturday, May 17, the Guardian reported that a Swiss-registered organization led by a former U.S. Marine dubbed the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) has been tapped by Israel to take over food distribution in Gaza. However, various aid groups and the United Nations are refusing to work with GHF, citing its inability to act independently of the Israeli government, among other reasons.

“Giving Israel power over who receives the aid and where basically turns it into a tool of coercion, and it blurs the line between the humanitarian assistance and Israel’s military objectives, which in turn puts civilians and aid workers at serious risk,” said Bushra Khalidi, a policy lead for the Palestinian territory at Oxfam.

Aid organizations and international officials warn that Gaza is nearing famine. The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification reported that nearly 500,000 people face catastrophic levels of hunger. Another 1 million residents are struggling to access enough food.

Tags: Benjamin Netanyahu, Gaza, Israel, Israel-Hamas War

Why this story matters

Israel's decision to permit limited humanitarian aid into Gaza following a nearly three-month blockade takes place amid warnings from international organizations of impending famine and ongoing military operations, highlighting the intersection of humanitarian concerns and regional conflict.

Humanitarian crisis

International agencies and local officials warn that Gaza faces catastrophic levels of hunger and potential famine due to the prolonged blockade and restricted aid access.

Military operations and conflict

Israel's resumption of extensive ground operations in Gaza coincides with the limited aid announcement and continues to result in civilian casualties, infrastructure damage, and displacement.

Aid distribution and control

According to statements from the Israeli government and aid groups, the process and oversight of distributing humanitarian aid are contentious, with Israel seeking to prevent Hamas from accessing aid and humanitarian organizations concerned about impartial access.

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Synthesized coverage insights across 23 media outlets

Community reaction

Affected Gaza residents, quoted in multiple articles, express deep frustration and fatigue with ongoing displacement and violence. Humanitarian organizations, including the U.N., have reiterated their willingness and ability to distribute aid effectively if granted access. In Israel, some citizens are protesting or refraining from military service, reflecting growing dissent and calls for a resolution to hostilities.

Debunking

Israeli officials claim that Hamas diverts humanitarian aid, a position reflected in right-leaning sources, while Hamas denies this allegation. Humanitarian agencies emphasize their capacity for impartial distribution and have called for unimpeded access, with no independent verification of large-scale systematic diversion of aid documented by neutral parties in recent reports.

Do the math

Over 2 million people live in Gaza, with local health authorities stating more than 53,000 Palestinians killed since the war began in late 2023. Israel’s latest offensive reportedly killed over 100 people in a single day. Aid organizations claim 160,000 pallets of aid are ready for delivery if allowed access; famine warnings affect the entire enclave population.

Sources

Bias comparison

Media outlets on the left frame Israel’s decision to allow a “basic” or “limited” amount of aid into Gaza with pronounced skepticism, emphasizing the humanitarian crisis caused by the nearly three-month “blockade” and highlighting the suffering inflicted on civilians and the deliberate targeting of hospitals.
Not enough coverage from media outlets in the center to provide a bias comparison.
Media outlets on the right de-emphasize these human costs and instead underscore Israel’s security rationale and operational necessity, often employing more neutral or strategic language like “largest offensive” and focusing on preventing Hamas from controlling aid.

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Media landscape

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23 total sources

Key points from the Left

Israel announced it will permit limited humanitarian aid into Gaza after nearly three months of blockade to avoid a "hunger crisis," according to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Israel's military operations in Gaza have resulted in extensive casualties, killing at least 103 people, including many children, while airstrikes and ground operations continue.
Gaza's Health Ministry reported nearly 3,000 people have been killed since the onset of hostilities following a short-lived ceasefire earlier this year, with accusations against Israel for systematically destroying Gaza's health care system.
Both sides agree on the need for a resolution, but each demands different terms, with Hamas wanting a full withdrawal of Israeli forces.

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Key points from the Center

On May 18, Israel announced it would permit a restricted supply of food aid into Gaza following nearly three months of blockade.
The blockade began March 2, amid Israel’s ongoing 19-month campaign aiming to defeat Hamas in Gaza.
Israeli troops started extensive ground operations, supported by airstrikes targeting over 670 Hamas sites to pressure militants and seize territory.
Prime Minister Netanyahu said the aid is to prevent a starvation crisis and ensure Hamas cannot control aid distribution.
The limited aid resumption aims to sustain civilians while allowing Israel to continue its military offensive, with implications for humanitarian conditions in Gaza.

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