Breaking News: New data challenges assertions that Israel intentionally starved Palestinians during the recent conflict.
Israel’s ambassador to the United Nations, Danny Danon, has asserted that recent nutritional data from Gaza disproves accusations that Israel deliberately starved the population during the two-year conflict ending October 10, 2025. He labelled previous claims a “blood libel” originating from Hamas sources. The data, presented by a U.N.-backed survey, reveals acute malnutrition rates comparable to, or lower than, pre-war levels.
The Gaza SMART nutrition survey, coordinated by UNICEF, evaluated 1,335 children under five, representing around 83% of Gaza’s population. It found acute malnutrition rates of 0.2%-0.8% using weight-for-height measurements, and 1.3% using mid-upper-arm circumference – levels that evaluators said did not demonstrate “widespread acute malnutrition”. Danon directly challenged earlier assertions made by U.N. Undersecretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Tom Fletcher, who in 2025 claimed 14,000 Gazan babies were at risk of imminent death from malnutrition, a figure the ambassador described as “false”.
Danon stated Israel maintains records indicating sufficient food supplies entered Gaza throughout the conflict, controlled at checkpoints. He accused Hamas of diverting and selling aid for profit, hindering effective distribution. Israel withdrew its military presence from Gaza in 2005, but the area subsequently became controlled by Hamas, which Danon characterised as a “terror state”.
Netanyahu has rejected a proposed U.S. peace plan, stating Israeli forces will not withdraw until Hamas is fully disarmed. Danon stated that prices in Gazan markets have fallen dramatically, a clear indication that food shortages are not occurring.
Reaction & Context
Ambassador Danon emphasized Israel’s willingness to share data and collaborate on humanitarian concerns, contrasting this with what he described as reliance on “terrorist organizations” for information. He made clear Israel “cares about babies in Gaza more than those making these allegations against us”, accusing critics of using starvation narratives for political gain. The findings represent a significant challenge to previous criticisms levelled against Israel by international bodies and officials regarding the conduct of the war.
What Happens Next
Israel will continue monitoring the situation in Gaza and working with NGOs to ensure aid reaches civilians, provided those organisations aren’t infiltrated by Hamas. Negotiations regarding a ceasefire and disarmament of Hamas remain stalled, but Israel continues to insist on full disarmament before any withdrawal.
Sources: Fox News, The Jerusalem Post.
