Israel's proposal to initially feed only 60% of Gaza's population has triggered alarm among humanitarian organizations and diplomatic partners. As casualties continue to mount amid ongoing military operations, international pressure grows for expanded aid access. The plan comes as Gaza faces what UN officials describe as "catastrophic hunger" with aid groups struggling to deliver essential supplies.
Israel Unveils Controversial Phased Food Aid Plan
Israeli officials have presented a new humanitarian plan that would initially provide food aid to only 60% of Gaza's 2.2 million residents, according to documents obtained by The Times of Israel. The three-phase proposal would begin with feeding approximately 1.3 million Gazans, predominantly in central and southern areas, while much of northern Gaza would remain inaccessible to aid convoys in the initial stages Times of Israel1.
The plan, developed by COGAT (Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories), outlines a gradual expansion of humanitarian access, with northern Gaza—where fighting remains intense—receiving limited aid until later phases. Officials cited security concerns and ongoing military operations as justifications for the restricted approach.
According to humanitarian reports cited in the document, Gazans are currently consuming an average of 1,335 calories daily, far below the World Health Organization's recommended 2,100 calories per day minimum standard—a situation described as "extreme deprivation."
Meanwhile, violence continues unabated. The Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry reported Thursday that Israeli strikes killed 106 Palestinians in the past 24 hours, bringing the total death toll to over 35,000 since October Haaretz2.
Global Diplomacy Intensifies Over Aid Access
U.S. officials have expressed concern about the limited scope of Israel's proposal. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said on Wednesday that a solution to Gaza's food crisis is "steps away," but requires Israeli approval for expanded land routes and maritime corridors Reuters3.
"We need to get more aid in, and we need to get it in now," Miller stated. "We believe the necessary elements for a comprehensive aid delivery system are in place, but implementation requires political will from all parties."
The United Nations Security Council convened an emergency session Thursday to address the deteriorating humanitarian situation. UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Martin Griffiths characterized Gaza's food security status as "the worst we have seen this century" and called the phased approach "woefully inadequate."
European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell issued a statement calling Israel's plan "incompatible with international humanitarian law," which requires all civilians to have access to essential supplies regardless of location.
Aid Organizations Struggle Amid Increasing Obstacles
Humanitarian groups operating in Gaza report unprecedented challenges in delivering assistance. World Central Kitchen (WCK), which temporarily suspended operations after seven of its workers were killed in an Israeli airstrike in April, has recently resumed limited food distribution but faces significant logistical hurdles NPR4.
"The situation is untenable," said Erin Gore, CEO of World Central Kitchen. "We're operating in an environment where safe passage is never guaranteed, where our kitchens and food storage facilities have been damaged in airstrikes, and where the need far outstrips what we're currently able to deliver."
The United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), the primary aid provider for Palestinian refugees, reports that 25 of its staff members have been killed since October. The agency's operations have been further complicated by Israeli accusations that some employees participated in the October 7 attacks, allegations that prompted temporary funding suspensions from several donor countries.
"Our warehouses are frequently empty, our fuel supplies critical, and our staff exhausted and traumatized," said UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini. "The phased approach means hundreds of thousands will continue to face starvation while aid sits just kilometers away."
Medical Experts Warn of Irreversible Health Impacts
Health professionals monitoring the crisis warn that prolonged malnutrition is creating long-term health consequences, particularly for children and pregnant women.
Dr. Natalie Thurtle, Medical Coordinator for Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders), explained: "What we're seeing goes beyond immediate hunger. Chronic malnutrition in children under five leads to stunting—physical and cognitive development delays that cannot be reversed."
According to UNICEF data cited in the COGAT document, acute malnutrition among children in northern Gaza has reached 15.6%, more than 15 times the pre-conflict rate. At least 27 children have died from malnutrition and dehydration since January, though medical experts believe the actual number is likely higher due to collapse of health monitoring systems.
"The difference between 1,300 and 2,100 calories might seem academic, but it represents the difference between survival and thriving," said Dr. Richard Brennan, Regional Emergency Director for the World Health Organization's Eastern Mediterranean office. "What's particularly concerning is that even in areas receiving aid, food distribution is sporadic and nutritional quality often inadequate."
Security vs. Humanitarian Imperatives: A Delicate Balance
Israeli defense officials defend the phased approach as a necessary compromise between humanitarian needs and security requirements. COGAT head Major General Ghassan Alian stated that expanded aid access must be balanced against "credible intelligence" that Hamas diverts humanitarian supplies.
"We cannot allow aid to strengthen terrorist capabilities," Alian said during a briefing reported by Israeli media. "Our phased approach ensures aid reaches civilians while minimizing diversion risks."
However, former Israeli security officials have questioned this rationale. Ami Ayalon, former head of Israel's Shin Bet security agency, told Haaretz that "securing aid routes is well within IDF capabilities" and that "hunger should never be used as a weapon, regardless of the adversary."
Military analysts note that Hamas maintains its strongest presence in northern Gaza, particularly in Jabalia refugee camp and areas of Gaza City, where the IDF has conducted repeated operations since October without fully dislodging militant forces.
Future Implications: Humanitarian Crisis with No End in Sight
If implemented as described, the phased aid plan would likely exacerbate already dire conditions in northern Gaza while providing limited relief elsewhere. Humanitarian experts warn of several potential consequences:
Demographic shifts: Continued deprivation in northern areas may force additional internal displacement, further concentrating population in southern Gaza where resources are already strained.
Health system collapse: Gaza's remaining functional hospitals, operating at three times capacity with minimal supplies, may face complete breakdown.
Regional instability: Deteriorating humanitarian conditions could further inflame regional tensions, particularly with Egypt, which has expressed growing concern about conditions at its border.
Legal ramifications: International legal experts suggest the restricted aid policy could strengthen arguments for war crimes investigations by the International Criminal Court.
"What we're witnessing is the systematic dismantling of civil infrastructure that will take decades to rebuild," said Jan Egeland, Secretary General of the Norwegian Refugee Council. "Even if fighting stopped tomorrow, Gaza faces a humanitarian emergency that will last years."
A Critical Juncture for Gaza's Civilian Population
As diplomats continue negotiations and aid organizations stretch limited resources, Gaza's civilian population remains caught between military operations and humanitarian imperatives. The phased food aid plan represents just one facet of a complex crisis with no resolution in sight.
With malnutrition rates rising and essential infrastructure destroyed, can the international community forge a path that addresses legitimate security concerns while meeting the most basic human needs of over two million civilians? The answer may determine not just immediate survival prospects but the possibility of any sustainable future peace.
Appendix: Supplementary Video Resources
