Aid to Gaza gives us legitimacy to keep fighting, says Israeli army

The Israeli army has denied that famine is gripping the Gaza Strip, despite widespread reports of severe malnutrition, starvation deaths and aid restrictions.

“There is no hunger in the Strip,” an Israeli army spokesperson declared on Sunday.

Speaking at a press briefing, the spokesperson claimed Israeli forces are facilitating humanitarian assistance: “We are working to bring aid into Gaza and ensure it reaches the people, not Hamas.” 

The UN, the US and Iraeli army officers speaking anonymously to the New York Times have said that Hamas does not have access to the aid.

The official also defended the continuation of the war, saying: “I am not comfortable with bringing aid into Gaza, but that gives us legitimacy to continue the war.”

Israel has faced growing international criticism for obstructing the flow of food and medicine into Gaza, particularly into the north, where aid groups say famine conditions have been present for months.