Senior Israeli military officials have privately acknowledged that Gaza is on the brink of famine, according to revelations published by The New York Times. These internal concerns stand in stark contrast to Israel’s public denials, as Palestinians endure a deliberate blockade that has pushed hundreds of thousands into hunger and despair.

Since October 2023, Gaza’s 2.3 million residents have been subjected to a systematic campaign of deprivation. The occupation’s decision to block the entry of essential supplies has resulted in the closure of bakeries, food distribution centres, and health facilities. Nearly half a million Palestinians are now in catastrophic conditions, according to UN assessments, with children and the elderly especially at risk. While Israeli officials argue the blockade targets armed factions, the reality on the ground tells a different story—one of collective punishment.

The UN and aid agencies warn that time is running out, but attempts to deliver aid are routinely obstructed or politicised. Israeli proposals to reroute aid through selected actors have been rejected due to breaches of neutrality, while diplomatic efforts have failed to ease the siege. As international condemnation grows louder, voices from within the Israeli military now fear moral collapse and global isolation—concerns long echoed by Palestinians whose survival is held hostage to political calculation.