To end food shortages in Gaza, the world should unite to end . . . Hamas
Claims of 'mass starvation,' of course, are utter baloney. They're based by all sorts of falsehoods, including, most recently, lurid, upsetting photos of supposedly sick, malnourished kids, whose protruding bones make them look like Nazi concentration-camp prisoners.
Numerous publications published one particularly disturbing photo, of a boy named Muhammad Zakariya Ayyoub al-Matouq, to show the effects of 'widespread hunger.'
Advertisement
Only it turns out the boy is not malnourished but has a genetic disease; uncropped pictures show his well-fed brother nearby.
It's likely many Gazans have trouble getting enough food for their families day-to-day. But relying on any information out of Gaza about food supplies is a dangerous business.
Reports of 'mass starvation' there have been circulating from early in the war. In May the BBC reported that '14,000 babies in Gaza could die in the next 48 hours,' yet that turned out to be a willful misreading of a projection by the United Nations (itself an unreliable source).
Advertisement
Meanwhile, Israel is permitting truckloads of aid into Gaza, and facilitating air drops. This week it even paused military action for 10 hours a day to allow for humanitarian aid.
Every morning, the NY POSTcast offers a deep dive into the headlines with the Post's signature mix of politics, business, pop culture, true crime and everything in between. Subscribe here!
Remember, though, that food shortages in Gaza have largely been orchestrated by Hamas, which steals international aid for its own members and to resell to finance its war efforts.
And this morally perverse group actually wants its people to starve, so the world will blame Israel and pressure it to halt its attacks on . . . Hamas.
Advertisement
That strategy has been succeeding, which is why Hamas has refused to surrender or even agree to a cease-fire.
Just this weekend, for example, French premier Macron fecklessly 'recognized' Palestine as a state.
That just rewards Hamas further, and encourages it to keep the war going. Expect only more suffering for Gazans.
Advertisement
At least President Donald Trump is wise to the game: Last week, he pulled US negotiators back from cease-fire talks, saying Hamas 'didn't want to make a deal,' but rather 'wanted to die.'
Spot on: The group is nothing more than a power-hungry death cult that gloats over the 'martyrdom' of innocent people it hides behind. It built hundreds of miles of tunnels for its soldiers but not one shelter for its people.
If the world wants to improve the lives of suffering Gazans, it needs to unify against Hamas, not Israel.
Once Hamas is defeated, the war can end and Gazans will be free of their true oppressors.
That will also bring about the best chances yet for long-term peace.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New York Times
8 minutes ago
- New York Times
Anger Over Starvation in Gaza Leaves Israel at Risk of Isolation
Some of Israel's most important Western allies, under political pressure from voters appalled by mounting evidence of starvation in Gaza, now say that they will recognize a Palestinian state. President Trump, himself convinced that Gazans are starving, has sent his Mideast envoy to Israel for the first time in months to look at the chaotic food distribution system. More scholars are debating whether Israel is committing genocide in Gaza. Opinion polls in the United States and elsewhere show an increasingly negative view of Israel. And there is no clear plan to bring the war against Hamas to an end. The Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, has responded angrily to the growing skepticism. He has said that the reports of starvation are exaggerated, that Hamas must be destroyed, that critics are often antisemites and that Western recognition of a Palestinian state is a reward to Hamas for the Oct. 7, 2023, attack on Israel that killed more than 1,000 people. 'The usual Israeli view is that this crisis is another temporary problem,' said Natan Sachs, an analyst of Israeli politics. 'But that's a misreading of the world, because it's accelerating a global turn against Israel that has dramatic effects, especially among young people.' As anger grows over widespread hunger in Gaza, Israel risks becoming an international outcast. The deadly Hamas-led attack on Israel in 2023 remains a vivid, salient event for many Israelis. But for others around the world, the devastation and hunger in Gaza have become more visible and urgent. Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
CNN
8 minutes ago
- CNN
5 things to know for July 31: Gaza, Ukraine, Aviation safety, Medical records, Immigration
After months of speculation, former Vice President Kamala Harris has announced that she will not run for governor of California in 2026. Nevertheless, Harris said she's planning to help 'elect Democrats across the nation who will fight fearlessly.' Here's what else you need to know to get up to speed and on with your day. For the first time, Arab and Muslim states — including Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Egypt — have issued a joint call demanding that Hamas disarm and relinquish power in the Gaza Strip. The declaration, which was signed at a UN conference by the 22-member Arab League, as well as the entire European Union and another 17 countries, also condemned the deadly October 7, 2023, attack by Hamas on Israel and proposed the deployment of 'a temporary international stabilization mission.' France, which co-chaired the conference, called the declaration 'unprecedented.' With international pressure building on Israel over the ongoing starvation crisis and war in Gaza, Canada announced on Wednesday that it plans to recognize a Palestinian state in September. France and Britain made similar announcements earlier this month. President Trump blasted Canada's decision and threatened to derail ongoing trade talks. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also vehemently opposes a two-state solution. Moscow's summer offensive in Ukraine continues, with Russian troops edging forward this year despite taking heavy casualties. The strategic town of Pokrovsk is surrounded on three sides and Russian units have advanced to the border of the Donetsk and Dnipropetrovsk regions. Analysts say Russian forces have adapted their tactics, moving in smaller groups on foot or on motorbikes to evade Ukrainian drone defenses. The Russian momentum comes as President Trump shortened his deadline for Russian President Vladimir Putin to make peace from 50 days to up to 12, although ceasefire talks have not yet been pursued. Instead, Moscow has continued to invest significant resources into the invasion, betting on its superior manpower, tolerance for casualties and vast military production line to push the war effort in its favor. More than two dozen people aboard a Delta Air Lines flight were taken to hospitals in Minnesota on Wednesday after turbulence forced their plane to make an emergency landing, the airline said in a statement. Flight DL56 was traveling from Salt Lake City to Amsterdam when the turbulence occurred. The aircraft then diverted to Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport, where first responders treated at least 25 people before transporting them to area hospitals. President Trump has tasked dozens of major health and technology companies with creating new ways to share patient data across the US' fragmented healthcare system. More than 60 companies — including Amazon, Apple, Google, Microsoft and Oracle — signed the nonbinding pledge to work collaboratively and deliver results by early 2026, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services said. During a speech on Wednesday, Trump said that if the initiative is successful, 'we will save time, we will save money, and most importantly, we will save lives.' It remains unclear what specific benchmarks the group is expected to meet or how the administration plans to hold the companies accountable. The proposal may also spark pushback from privacy advocates who have warned that making patients' sensitive health data more widely accessible risks also making it less secure. A dozen Democratic members of Congress have filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration over a new Homeland Security policy that restricts access to federal detention centers. The complaint claims the policy, which requires seven days' notice and limits admittance to certain field offices, violates a longstanding federal law that permits unannounced inspections by members of Congress. In the past, these visits have provided the public with insights into how detainees were being treated, such as overcrowded cells, spoiled food and medical neglect. Several lawmakers said they have already been denied entry to facilities in their districts. CNN has reached out to Immigration and Customs Enforcement for comment. GET '5 THINGS' IN YOUR INBOX If your day doesn't start until you're up to speed on the latest headlines, then let us introduce you to your new favorite morning fix. Sign up here for the '5 Things' newsletter. The nest was found on a post near tanks where liquid nuclear waste is stored. The pick-up only stores encouraged customers to order via their mobile app and not linger. Some cases of vodka seltzer were mislabeled as a popular energy drink. Nearly 6 million people watched the cartoon's season premiere last week, which featured ruthless and profane commentary about President Trump. Oreo and Reese's are collaborating on a new candy and what might be the perfect cookie. $6.16That's how much, on average, a participant in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program receives per day in benefits. 'My children tell me: 'Don't go, Mama, don't go to the aid centers, we don't want you to die, Mama. Who will take care of us if something happens to you?' — Um El-Abed, a Palestinian living in Gaza who must risk her life to obtain aid to feed her eight children. Her husband was killed in an Israeli airstrike. 🌤️ Check your local forecast to see what you can expect. As hurricanes become more frequent and destructive, one company is building round, aerodynamic houses that are more storm-resistant. Today's edition of 5 Things AM was edited and produced by CNN's Andrew Torgan.
CNN
35 minutes ago
- CNN
5 things to know for July 31: Gaza, Ukraine, Aviation safety, Medical records, Immigration
After months of speculation, former Vice President Kamala Harris has announced that she will not run for governor of California in 2026. Nevertheless, Harris said she's planning to help 'elect Democrats across the nation who will fight fearlessly.' Here's what else you need to know to get up to speed and on with your day. For the first time, Arab and Muslim states — including Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Egypt — have issued a joint call demanding that Hamas disarm and relinquish power in the Gaza Strip. The declaration, which was signed at a UN conference by the 22-member Arab League, as well as the entire European Union and another 17 countries, also condemned the deadly October 7, 2023, attack by Hamas on Israel and proposed the deployment of 'a temporary international stabilization mission.' France, which co-chaired the conference, called the declaration 'unprecedented.' With international pressure building on Israel over the ongoing starvation crisis and war in Gaza, Canada announced on Wednesday that it plans to recognize a Palestinian state in September. France and Britain made similar announcements earlier this month. President Trump blasted Canada's decision and threatened to derail ongoing trade talks. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also vehemently opposes a two-state solution. Moscow's summer offensive in Ukraine continues, with Russian troops edging forward this year despite taking heavy casualties. The strategic town of Pokrovsk is surrounded on three sides and Russian units have advanced to the border of the Donetsk and Dnipropetrovsk regions. Analysts say Russian forces have adapted their tactics, moving in smaller groups on foot or on motorbikes to evade Ukrainian drone defenses. The Russian momentum comes as President Trump shortened his deadline for Russian President Vladimir Putin to make peace from 50 days to up to 12, although ceasefire talks have not yet been pursued. Instead, Moscow has continued to invest significant resources into the invasion, betting on its superior manpower, tolerance for casualties and vast military production line to push the war effort in its favor. More than two dozen people aboard a Delta Air Lines flight were taken to hospitals in Minnesota on Wednesday after turbulence forced their plane to make an emergency landing, the airline said in a statement. Flight DL56 was traveling from Salt Lake City to Amsterdam when the turbulence occurred. The aircraft then diverted to Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport, where first responders treated at least 25 people before transporting them to area hospitals. President Trump has tasked dozens of major health and technology companies with creating new ways to share patient data across the US' fragmented healthcare system. More than 60 companies — including Amazon, Apple, Google, Microsoft and Oracle — signed the nonbinding pledge to work collaboratively and deliver results by early 2026, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services said. During a speech on Wednesday, Trump said that if the initiative is successful, 'we will save time, we will save money, and most importantly, we will save lives.' It remains unclear what specific benchmarks the group is expected to meet or how the administration plans to hold the companies accountable. The proposal may also spark pushback from privacy advocates who have warned that making patients' sensitive health data more widely accessible risks also making it less secure. A dozen Democratic members of Congress have filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration over a new Homeland Security policy that restricts access to federal detention centers. The complaint claims the policy, which requires seven days' notice and limits admittance to certain field offices, violates a longstanding federal law that permits unannounced inspections by members of Congress. In the past, these visits have provided the public with insights into how detainees were being treated, such as overcrowded cells, spoiled food and medical neglect. Several lawmakers said they have already been denied entry to facilities in their districts. CNN has reached out to Immigration and Customs Enforcement for comment. GET '5 THINGS' IN YOUR INBOX If your day doesn't start until you're up to speed on the latest headlines, then let us introduce you to your new favorite morning fix. Sign up here for the '5 Things' newsletter. The nest was found on a post near tanks where liquid nuclear waste is stored. The pick-up only stores encouraged customers to order via their mobile app and not linger. Some cases of vodka seltzer were mislabeled as a popular energy drink. Nearly 6 million people watched the cartoon's season premiere last week, which featured ruthless and profane commentary about President Trump. Oreo and Reese's are collaborating on a new candy and what might be the perfect cookie. $6.16That's how much, on average, a participant in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program receives per day in benefits. 'My children tell me: 'Don't go, Mama, don't go to the aid centers, we don't want you to die, Mama. Who will take care of us if something happens to you?' — Um El-Abed, a Palestinian living in Gaza who must risk her life to obtain aid to feed her eight children. Her husband was killed in an Israeli airstrike. 🌤️ Check your local forecast to see what you can expect. As hurricanes become more frequent and destructive, one company is building round, aerodynamic houses that are more storm-resistant. Today's edition of 5 Things AM was edited and produced by CNN's Andrew Torgan.
