Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is trying to shift attention away from the dire humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where starvation has gripped over 70% of the population, as he faces growing international condemnation for his government’s handling of the situation.
The Israeli government allowed some private businesses to resume importing goods into Gaza on Tuesday, a move aimed at alleviating the severe hunger that has been affecting the enclave for nearly two years. However, many aid agencies and countries blame Israeli policies for the crisis.
Despite this effort, Netanyahu is facing pressure from his far-right coalition partners to continue military operations in Gaza. The prime minister’s office said he had held a meeting with the Israeli military chief of staff to discuss options for continuing the campaign, but kept his intentions ambiguous to keep his allies happy.
The international community has been growing increasingly critical of Israel’s actions, with many calling for the unconditional release of the 30 hostages still being held in Gaza. The United Nations says that Gaza is on the brink of famine and that civil order has almost totally collapsed.
Israel has been accused of undermining peace efforts by pledging to recognize a Palestinian state, which some see as a threat to its own security. The situation remains dire, with scores of Palestinians having died from malnutrition-related causes and over 60,000 people killed in the campaign.
Netanyahu’s government is under pressure to take action to alleviate the suffering in Gaza, but it appears that a solution may be elusive. With diplomatic efforts at a standstill, the international community is calling on Israel to act now to save the hostages and prevent further bloodshed.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/08/05/world/middleeast/un-israel-gaza-war-hostages.html