While Washington touts rising Gaza aid deliveries and improved food access, Palestinian officials and aid groups accuse Israel of blocking essentials and using food as a weapon of war.
The Gaza conflict has reignited fierce debate over the scale and impact of humanitarian aid reaching Palestinians. The United States says it is leading a “historic effort” to relieve suffering in the war-battered enclave, but local officials and relief agencies paint a very different picture — one of deep shortages, rising prices, and engineered starvation.
U.S. Highlights Record Aid Deliveries
According to White House spokesperson Dylan Johnson, an average of 674 trucks a day have entered Gaza since the latest Israel–Hamas ceasefire took effect. He told Al Jazeera that nearly 15,000 trucks carrying food, water, and medical supplies have crossed into the territory since October 10.
Johnson added that humanitarian workers have reached over one million people with food parcels, while meal production in Gaza has jumped 82 percent since September.
“Eggs appeared on shelves in Gaza for the first time since February,” Johnson said, emphasizing that the U.S. remains committed to treating Palestinians “with dignity and respect.”
He described the operation as a “historic effort” led by the administration of President Donald Trump, aimed at addressing “the critical needs of Gazans right now.”
Aid Groups Dispute U.S. Figures
Despite Washington’s optimism, Palestinian authorities and humanitarian organizations dispute the numbers — and the reality they describe.
The World Food Programme (WFP) said only half of the required food aid is reaching Gaza, while a coalition of Palestinian relief agencies claims deliveries amount to just one-quarter of what was agreed under the ceasefire deal.
The Government Media Office in Gaza reported that since the truce began, only 28 percent of the promised aid trucks have entered — 4,453 vehicles in total, averaging just 171 trucks per day.
“These limited quantities fall far below the minimum humanitarian threshold,” the office warned, demanding at least 600 trucks daily carrying food, medicine, fuel, and cooking gas.
Accusations of “Food Manipulation”
Palestinian officials accused Israel of deliberately restricting vital goods while allowing luxury items to enter Gaza at inflated prices.
The media office alleged that Israeli authorities banned more than 350 essential food items, including meat, cheese, vegetables, and nutritional supplements, but permitted the entry of soft drinks, chocolate, and crisps.
“This proves the occupation is deliberately implementing a policy of food manipulation as a weapon against civilians,” the statement said, referring to what Palestinians call “engineered starvation.”
Progress — and Persistent Gaps
Johnson countered criticism by noting significant U.S.-led progress. He said 17,000 cubic metres (4.5 million gallons) of drinking water are now delivered daily — a 130 percent increase in northern Gaza since October.
“There has been great progress, but this is only the beginning,” he said, insisting the U.S. would continue expanding aid operations.
The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) confirmed improvements in southern Gaza, where most families now eat two meals a day compared to one in July. However, food security in northern Gaza remains “catastrophic,” the agency said.
UN spokesperson Farhan Haq added that while access has improved, “people’s urgent needs are still immense”, as aid convoys remain limited to just two Israeli crossings. The WFP renewed calls to open all access points and “flood Gaza with food and medicine” to prevent famine.
The Bottom Line
The Gaza aid crisis underscores a deep divide between U.S. claims of progress and Palestinian warnings of famine. While Washington points to increased deliveries and improved water access, aid groups on the ground insist that humanitarian access remains dangerously inadequate.
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