Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claims that there is no mass famine in Gaza. Photos of malnourished children on the Internet are also being questioned. DW checked the facts and claims on the subject:
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu denies that Palestinians in the Gaza Strip are facing starvation.
His statement contradicts data from humanitarian organizations and witnesses who say that the hunger crisis in the enclave is escalating - especially in its northern part. DW has checked the facts.
Reports speak of "worst case scenario"
According to the Integrated Classification of Food Security Phases - a global monitoring organization - the threat of starvation has been reached in many places in Gaza, for example in Gaza City, where the organization speaks of "worst possible scenario". The WHO reports that 63 of the total 74 deaths caused by malnutrition were identified in the month of July alone. Among them are 24 children under the age of 5.
At the same time, aid workers on the ground report that they themselves are starving, and the Hamas-controlled Gaza Health Ministry claims that dozens have died of malnutrition in the past three weeks.
Will Israel let two million people starve to death?
Israeli authorities, including Foreign Ministry spokesman Oren Marmorstein, have denied these accusations and called them exaggerated. They say that some of the figures, which come from the terrorist organization Hamas, are not reliable. However, a new independent assessment shows that they are even underestimated. Israel imposed a complete blockade of food, fuel and other products to Gaza in March. At the time, a number of Israeli politicians, including Netanyahu, said that no food would enter the enclave. In August 2024, Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich said that it might be "justifiable and moral" to allow Israel to "let 2 million people die of hunger until the hostages are returned."
"This is being repeated by the prime minister, his cabinet and the far-right media," says Oren Persico of the Israeli platform "Seventh Eye." "They either deny that there is a famine, or they blame Hamas for not surrendering, or they even say that this is a good thing - because it will create an opportunity for the construction of Israeli settlements in Gaza."
Is Muhammad Zakaria Ayub al-Mattouk sick or malnourished?
Israel's claims that the famine in Gaza is exaggerated are also being spread by a number of influential profiles on social media. In recent days, many have said that the photos of malnourished children in Gaza are misleading. One such photo, which was published by a number of international media outlets - of the little boy Muhammad Zakaria Ayoub al-Mattouk - was criticized on social media, as well as by some pro-Israeli journalists and commentators.
They, as well as the Israeli Foreign Ministry itself, said that the boy suffers from cerebral palsy, and the media did not provide this context. Some publications did not report this information, but CNN, for example, clearly stated that the boy had serious illnesses and even specified that he had a better life before the war, as he had access to physiotherapy and the special food he needed.
However, many accounts continue to share the photo, claiming that it was misused to show that there is hunger in Gaza - something they deny.
The illness does not rule out malnutrition
The DW fact-checking team showed the boy's photos to pediatricians in Germany. The doctors noted that the boy's condition could not be determined from photos or videos alone. However, they all emphasized that his illness did not mean that he was not also suffering from malnutrition. Explaining his condition only with the illness does not take into account long-term malnutrition.
Oren Persico from the Israeli media outlet "Seventh Eye" believes that these accusations are part of the Israeli government's political strategy. "They are using unrepresentative examples to explain that the people of Gaza are not suffering", he says. "It's like conspiracy theories that fixate on irrelevant details to create general confusion. In that sense, I would even call it a disinformation campaign - picking out side and insignificant facts to deny the evidence, including witness accounts, data and reports."
Is the Gaza market full of food?
A similar case is made with part of a video clip that was published by a number of media outlets, including the "Jerusalem Post". It shows a close-up of a vegetable stand in a Gaza market. "This is footage from today from the Al-Sahaba market in Gaza City - full of food. There is a lot of hunger. The average Gazan eats better than you", wrote one user on X.
DW spoke to journalist Majdi Fathi, who filmed the video. He confirmed that it was from a Gaza market, but that this did not mean that everyone had access to food. "These vegetables and fruits are extremely expensive. Most people in Gaza cannot afford them. There is a lack of other products in Gaza - meat, milk, rice, eggs. There was nothing else to film in this market," he said.
Other media outlets confirmed Fathi's assessment. A BBC investigation has shown that food supplies to Gaza are often not diverse enough to provide a healthy diet, leading to malnutrition and long-term health problems, even when supplies are sufficient. "High prices are also a problem. Since the war began, many families have been unable to work and earn enough to buy food," says Fathi.
Is Hamas stealing aid?
Israel's latest move to allow more aid has led to some price reductions in some areas, but the impact remains limited. Although the aid is intended for free distribution, some supplies are being stockpiled, diverted or resold. Without clear oversight by aid groups, local authorities or Israeli forces, it is unclear how much of the aid is being diverted.
Israeli authorities have repeatedly claimed that Hamas is stealing aid. Israeli military officials, however, told the New York Times that there is no evidence that Hamas is systematically looting. They say the incidents are sporadic and the work of smaller armed groups.
Aid workers say the amount of aid that has entered Gaza in recent days has been insufficient and in some cases dangerous for civilians who have to collect the packages on the ground.