The Truth on the Current Situation in Gaza

Two years after Hamas’s barbaric October 7, 2023, attack that claimed 1,139 Israeli lives and triggered the war, Gaza stands at a crossroads. The Gaza Ministry of Health reports over 67,000 Palestinian deaths and 170,000 injuries since then, figures that underscore the war’s toll. Yet, as of October 14, 2025, the ceasefire has ushered in cautious optimism: humanitarian teams are accessing previously isolated areas, and aid distributions are scaling up rapidly. Economically, Gaza’s pre-ceasefire GDP per capita had plummeted amid widespread poverty and unemployment rates exceeding 50%, a direct fallout from Hamas’s prioritization of rockets over reconstruction. Infrastructure—hospitals, schools, and water systems—lies in ruins. While the ceasefire halts active hostilities, the real challenge remains governance: without dismantling Hamas’s stranglehold, Gaza risks perpetual stagnation.

Unmasking the Propaganda: How Myths Sustain a Terrorist Regime

Hamas, designated a terrorist organization by the U.S., EU, and others, thrives on a web of disinformation that vilifies Israel while concealing its own abuses against Palestinians. This propaganda isn’t organic; it’s a calculated campaign amplified by social media and biased outlets, peddling myths that equate self-defense with aggression and whitewash Hamas’s atrocities. Take the enduring falsehood that Israel deliberately starves Gaza: In reality, restrictions stem from security checks to prevent weapons smuggling, yet Israel has consistently allowed aid far exceeding UN minimums—debunking claims of a “genocide” engineered through blockade. Another trope: Hamas doesn’t target civilians. Fact-checkers have exposed how the group embedded fighters in population centers, using schools and hospitals as shields, resulting in tragic but avoidable casualties. Viral videos falsely depicting “caged Israeli children” as hostages? Fabricated to inflame global outrage. Worse, this narrative ignores Hamas’s internal failures: Billions in Qatari and Iranian funds diverted to tunnels and missiles, leaving Gaza’s economy in tatters with 80% youth unemployment and crumbling services. Propaganda portrays Hamas as “resistance,” but it’s a regime that executes dissenters and hoards aid, perpetuating poverty to fuel endless conflict. Supporting such lies doesn’t liberate Palestinians—it entrenches their suffering under a terrorist yoke.

Exposing Hamas’s Propaganda Machine – A Terrorist Group Betraying Its Own

Hamas, enshrined on the U.S. State Department’s terrorist list since 1997, has weaponized misinformation to shield its military agenda at the expense of Gazan civilians. The group’s propaganda apparatus, including figures like the eliminated spokesman Abu Obeida, has fabricated crises to vilify Israel, from staging hospital “bombings” to exploiting images of ill children for viral outrage.

On the second anniversary of the October 7, 2023, atrocities, U.S.-based activists echoed Hamas’s blame-shifting, ignoring how the group’s tunnel network—spanning over 500 kilometers—diverts cement and fuel from civilian infrastructure. This isn’t mere rhetoric; it’s a pattern of self-sabotage. Hamas’s governance has siphoned aid for rocket production and elite enrichment, leaving Gazans to bear the brunt. Senator Tom Cotton aptly summarized in July 2025: “Hamas wants the world to believe that Israel has undertaken a campaign of deliberate starvation,” when evidence shows the opposite—Hamas hoarding supplies amid its own failures. This internal predation stifles growth: Gaza’s unemployment hovers at 45%, not due to external pressures, but because Hamas prioritizes jihad over jobs. The ceasefire’s hostage releases—over 100 Palestinians freed from Israeli custody—further reveal Hamas’s duplicity, as reunited families report abuse not from Israel, but from their captors.

Gaza: The Current Humanitarian Landscape – Challenges from Within

There is food in Gaza. Its just not being distributed by the UN

Contrary to alarmist headlines, Gaza is not in the throes of deliberate starvation orchestrated by Israel. As of mid-October 2025, following the ceasefire, humanitarian aid has surged into the territory, with the United Nations reporting preparations to deliver over 170,000 metric tons of food, medicine, and supplies—enough to sustain 2.1 million residents for the initial phase. Israel’s coordination has facilitated this influx, including the safe return of displaced Palestinians to their homes and the dismantling of temporary aid sites like those operated by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), now obsolete due to normalized deliveries. Claims of a “famine” or Israeli-imposed starvation policy are not only unsubstantiated but represent a calculated distortion. An Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) investigation in August 2025 categorically rejected assertions of widespread malnutrition deaths attributable to policy, noting that isolated cases were exacerbated by Hamas’s diversion of resources rather than any blockade.

Independent analyses, including those from the Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs, have labelled these narratives a “fraud,” pointing to inflated data from Hamas-controlled health authorities that the UN has uncritically amplified. Cam Higby was in Gaza and like many other exposed the lie. All food would pass every level of IDF inspection and cross the Karem Shalom border. It would now be the responsibility of the U.N. to distribute it, they didn’t.

According to the U.N. Only 7% of its distribution trucks inside of the strip have reached the population. More often than not, they’re raided by armed marauders or Hamas. The U.N. Has cited safety concerns as a reason for not distributing effectively but has also turned down offers to have IDF escorts. In economic terms, this propaganda has real costs: it deters investment and prolongs instability, keeping Gaza’s GDP per capita stagnant at around $1,000—levels that could double with secure aid channels and demilitarization.

The UN’s Complicity in Perpetuating the Crisis

While Israel facilitates aid, the United Nations—particularly The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East —has deliberately exacerbated Gaza’s woes through biased reporting and operational inefficiencies. UN-backed famine assessments in August 2025, which claimed over 500,000 in “catastrophic hunger,” relied on unverifiable Hamas data, later debunked as “fabricated” by watchdogs like UN Watch. The Institute for National Security Studies highlighted how these reports ignore Hamas’s aid looting, instead framing Israel as the sole villain—a narrative that delays real solutions. Financially, this dysfunction is glaring: UNRWA’s $1.6 billion annual budget yields fragmented relief, with audits revealing up to 10% lost to corruption—funds that could fund Gaza’s desalination upgrades. By amplifying propaganda, the UN discourages donor confidence, trapping aid in bureaucratic silos.

Israel’s Enduring Support in Palestinian Stability and Growth

Contrary to the one-sided portrayals, Israel has been a steadfast partner in Palestinian welfare, channelling billions in aid and infrastructure that foster long-term economic resilience. Since the war’s outset, Israel has facilitated the delivery of over 1.3 million tons of humanitarian supplies—food, medicine, fuel, and shelter materials—into Gaza, often in coordination with international allies. The Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT) meticulously tracks these efforts, ensuring safe passage through crossings like Kerem Shalom and Erez, even under the duress of ongoing threats. Beyond immediate relief, Israel’s contributions extend to foundational services that underpin prosperity. For decades, Israel has supplied Gaza with 80-90% of its electricity, desalinated over 20 million cubic meters of water annually (meeting 10-15% of needs), and enabled tens of thousands of Palestinians to work in Israel, injecting $500 million yearly into Gaza’s economy pre-war. Medical evacuations are another hallmark: since 2000, Israel has treated over 200,000 Palestinians in its hospitals, including complex cases from Gaza, free of charge. In 2024-2025 alone, amid the conflict, Israel approved aid convoys carrying 500,000 tons of flour and 300,000 tons of rice, countering famine risks despite Hamas’s diversion of supplies for military use.

Israel’s Enduring Positive Contributions to Palestinian Prosperity

Israel’s track record of goodwill toward Palestinians is a testament to its democratic ethos and strategic foresight—actions that foster long-term economic interdependence. Even amid conflict, Israel has enabled over 20,000 Gazans to access medical treatment in Israeli hospitals annually, a lifeline that saved thousands of lives pre-2023 escalation. Post-ceasefire, Israel has greenlit reconstruction phases under the Arab League’s March 2025 plan, committing to six months of unfettered aid and infrastructure rebuilding in Gaza City and Khan Yunis. Economically, Israel’s innovations have indirectly benefited Gaza: desalination plants supply 20% of the Strip’s water, while joint agricultural tech transfers have boosted Palestinian yields by 30% in the West Bank—initiatives ripe for Gaza replication. The January 2025 ceasefire phase allowed “sufficient” humanitarian flows, paving the way for private sector revival, including tech hubs that could employ 50,000 youth. These aren’t concessions; they’re investments in stability, aligning with values of self-reliance and mutual benefit. As President Trump’s involvement in the October deal demonstrates, strong U.S.-Israel ties yield dividends for all parties.

Written By tatenda Belle Panashe

]]> https://ln24international.com/2025/10/15/navigating-the-gaza-narrative-facts-aid-and-the-cost-of-misinformation/feed/ 0 https://ln24international.com/2025/09/15/egypts-president-says-israeli-policies-are-blocking-middle-east-peace/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=egypts-president-says-israeli-policies-are-blocking-middle-east-peace https://ln24international.com/2025/09/15/egypts-president-says-israeli-policies-are-blocking-middle-east-peace/#respond Mon, 15 Sep 2025 15:22:26 +0000 https://ln24international.com/?p=27456 Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi stated on Monday that Israel’s ongoing actions are undermining efforts to establish peace in the Middle East.

Speaking at the Arab-Islamic summit in Doha, he directed his remarks at Israel, saying

“What is happening right now hinders the future of peace, threatens your security and the security of the peoples in the region and adds obstacles to chances for any new peace agreements and even aborts existing ones.”

Egypt, which maintains formal diplomatic ties with Israel through a peace treaty signed in 1979, has long supported the Palestinian cause. It advocates for a two-state solution with an independent Palestinian state and has often spoken out against Israeli military operations in Palestinian territories.

At the same time, Egypt has positioned itself as a key mediator in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, frequently brokering ceasefire agreements and hosting reconciliation talks between Palestinian factions. While it supports Palestine politically and diplomatically, Egypt also enforces tight control over the Rafah border crossing with Gaza, citing security concerns related to militant activity in the region.

Leavitt’s announcement followed a statement from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office, which confirmed that Israel had conveyed its stance on the negotiations to the United States. The delicate talks come as the situation in Gaza continues to escalate, with 59 hostages still held by Hamas, including five U.S. citizens. Of the remaining hostages, only one is believed to still be alive.

The revelation of the talks was accompanied by a call from former President Donald Trump, who met earlier in the day with freed Israeli hostages. Trump, who has been vocal about the situation, warned Hamas to immediately release the remaining captives, emphasizing the urgency of their safe return.

“This is a time for action, not words,” Trump said. “We must make it clear to Hamas that the world will not tolerate their violence, and the lives of these innocent people are paramount.”

The U.S. government’s involvement in direct negotiations marks a significant shift in its stance on engaging with Hamas, which it officially designates as a terrorist organization. Historically, the U.S. has refrained from direct talks with groups that support violence against civilians.

As the negotiations continue, U.S. officials are working closely with both Israeli and Palestinian authorities to ensure the safe return of all hostages. The global community is watching closely as efforts to bring about a peaceful resolution remain fraught with political and military challenges.

The fate of the hostages, particularly the American citizens still held captive, remains a priority for the U.S. government, with President Biden expressing hope for a positive outcome. The U.S. administration has also reiterated its commitment to supporting Israel while pursuing diplomatic avenues to resolve the crisis.

This ongoing situation is just one of many complexities in the broader Israeli-Palestinian conflict, which has seen waves of violence and diplomatic efforts over the years. The current negotiations, however, underscore the urgent need for a solution to ensure the safety and well-being of hostages and civilians caught in the crossfire.

Netanyahu focused much of his address on what he described as a “bold new vision” for Gaza, offering a controversial proposal that Gazans should have the option to leave the area if they choose. This stance comes amid ongoing tensions and violence in Gaza, as Israel continues to face the challenges of a prolonged conflict with Hamas.

Netanyahu’s remarks about Gaza’s future were among the most significant elements of his speech. He endorsed a plan that would provide the residents of Gaza with the option to leave if they so desire, signaling a shift in Israel’s approach to the long-standing Israeli-Palestinian conflict. While he did not provide specific details on how this vision would be implemented, it marks an effort to address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, which has been exacerbated by years of conflict.

Critics of the proposal have raised concerns about its potential to displace Palestinian civilians and the feasibility of such a plan, especially in light of the complex political and social realities on the ground in Gaza.

Prime Minister Netanyahu also underscored the strength of the partnership between Israel and the United States, with a particular focus on the collaboration with President Trump. Netanyahu proudly stated that he and Trump are “reshaping the Middle East,” a reference to the ongoing diplomatic shifts in the region, including the normalization of relations between Israel and several Arab nations under the Abraham Accords.

Netanyahu’s praise for Trump’s policies reflected a broader Israeli sentiment that the U.S. has been a strong ally under Trump’s leadership, particularly regarding the U.S. withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal and the recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.

Israel’s Strength in the Face of Adversity

Concluding his speech, Netanyahu highlighted Israel’s resilience and military strength, particularly in light of the ongoing conflict in Gaza. “After 16 months of fighting, we are stronger than ever,” Netanyahu asserted, emphasizing Israel’s ability to defend itself and maintain security in the region.

His comments underscored the national pride in Israel’s military capabilities, while also signaling a commitment to continue the fight against Hamas and other militant groups that threaten Israeli security.

Looking Forward: A Changing Middle East

Netanyahu’s speech at the Israeli Presidential Conference marks a significant moment in Israeli politics, underscoring the country’s evolving approach to Gaza and its continued alliance with the United States. With tensions in Gaza remaining high and regional dynamics shifting rapidly, Netanyahu’s proposals will likely be closely scrutinized by both international leaders and local observers alike.

As the situation in Gaza continues to evolve, Israel’s relationship with its neighbors, as well as its ties with the U.S., will remain critical in shaping the region’s future.

The scenes were deeply moving as Agam Berger, overcome with emotion, cried and hugged her siblings, marking a long-awaited reunion after her harrowing experience as one of the Israeli hostages taken during the October 7th attack. Similarly, 80-year-old Gadi Moses, who spent more than 15 months in captivity, was visibly overcome with emotion as he embraced his children, a testament to the emotional toll such prolonged separation can have on families. The reunions, though filled with joy, were a stark reminder of the personal cost of the ongoing conflict.

However, the release did not come without complications. As Israeli hostages were handed over to the Red Cross by Hamas, the chaotic nature of the exchange raised concerns. The handover process saw masked militants and an unruly crowd, prompting criticism from Israeli officials. The disarray surrounding the transfer, especially the tense scenes involving two of the Israeli hostages, provoked an angry response from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Netanyahu’s fury was evident as he voiced his dissatisfaction with the chaotic scenes. In an unprecedented move, Israel delayed its part of the exchange, holding back the release of Palestinian prisoners until later in the day. This move highlighted the complexities of these hostage exchanges, where humanitarian gestures and political considerations often clash. While the exchange provided a glimmer of hope for families, the political tensions underscored the fragile nature of such deals in the context of a deeply divided region.

The release of Agam Berger and Gadi Moses brought fleeting moments of joy to their families, yet it also illuminated the harsh realities and unpredictability of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The emotional reunions serve as a reminder of the human cost of this conflict, while the chaotic nature of the handover reflects the ongoing tensions between the two sides. As both sides continue to navigate complex negotiations and political maneuvering, the potential for future exchanges remains uncertain, with the prospects of peace and resolution still far from reach.