Small is the percentage of people who have not yet seen the photos of thin, sick-looking children in Gaza pleading for food. For the past few days, those real – and sometimes AI generated or out-of-context – images have been shared non-stop across the globe. By now, our favorite artists or movie stars have uploaded stories that read “children in Palestine deserve better” or “no one should have to beg for food” and in both cases: they are right. Although their fingers point to the wrong culprit each time.
Shocking pictures of Palestinian boy Osama al-Rakam went widely viral on the internet for the child’s emaciated body – most journals headlines portraying him as the perfect example for the alleged malnutrition in Gaza. What was omitted from the legend was that Osama suffers from a genetic disease which he is currently being treated for in Italy – he is not in Gaza right now and hasn’t been since June.(Image of Gazan child with genetic illness being used to falsely smear Israel, COGAT charges | The Times of Israel) Why the need for clickbait titles based on unverified resources when there is actual suffering in Gaza caused by Hamas to report on? Because the truth doesn’t sell.
As tons of humanitarian aid (1,867,764 exactly since 07/10/23 – according to the COGAT) enter Gaza from Israel, Egypt and Jordan on a monthly basis, one legitimate question comes up at the sight of the situation across the territory: “How come Gazans barely get any food?” Well, the answer is as simple as it is disturbing – while not surprising at all: almost the entirety of the aid is being stolen from famished civilians by the same people who reign over them and should care for their well-being.
Recent evidence showed Hamas terrorists hidden in terror tunnels – ones in which Israeli hostages are currently being held – proudly surrounded by an abundance of provisions that could easily nourish the hungry children waiting above. Food means control and the Islamic group understood that long ago. Funny enough, the same privileged celebrities tweeting from their mansions in LA about the “starvation” in Gaza have a hard time condemning Hamas’ robbing of humanitarian aid from its people.
Anyone with a phone and access to google would know that the Iran-backed group initiated the war that has been ongoing for the past twenty-two months. Still, Israel is being accused of having chosen this fate, this daily situation from which both sides suffer. The international community has had a wonderful time expressing its hypocritical and uneducated opinion on the matter, deliberately ignoring a major factor: the war could end tomorrow, if only Hamas agreed to a deal that would release the Israeli civilians it kidnapped on October 7th, and bring peace to its people.
Unfortunately, Hamas’ desire to hurt all that is Israeli is stronger than its need to protect its civilians. Since Hamas’ election in 2007, the incompetent governors of Gaza have not invested any of the donated money it received into developing its territory and creating an economic foundation that would enable its people’s emancipation. Have you ever come to the conclusion that if Gazans are now depending on humanitarian aid, it indicates that Israel has been the one to provide for them long before the war started?
Propaganda is Hamas’ favorite game to play and the terror group has been a loyal contestant for quite some time now. Through media corruption or award-winning performances, the terrorists have always found ways to reach pity and support. And this time is no different: they are feeding the world lies, while their people starve.
You can either choose to continue playing the role of the pawn in Hamas’ plot, or change the script. Our decision has been made a long time ago; it isn’t too late for you to make yours.
Naomi Levy, GPO