Under pressure, Israel permits limited food supplies into Gaza

Department of Research, Studies and International News -20-05-2025

After over two months of an unforgiving blockade that choked off essential supplies to Gaza, the Israeli regime has declared it will now allow limited quantities of food to enter the besieged Palestinian enclave. This decision comes amid mounting international criticism of Tel Aviv’s collective punishment tactics, which have left over two million Palestinians on the brink of starvation.

On Sunday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office stated that, following military recommendations and for so-called “operational reasons,” the entry of minimal food supplies into Gaza would be permitted. However, this announcement has been met with skepticism across much of the Global South, with many questioning the sincerity behind the move, given Israel’s continued military escalation in the territory.

According to the statement, Israel’s objective remains the same: to continue its operations aimed at “defeating Hamas.” Yet in the process, it has rendered Gaza’s civilian infrastructure almost completely non-functional. For the past ten weeks, Palestinians in Gaza have faced a total siege, with no access to food, medical aid, fuel, or shelter supplies. This deliberate targeting of civilians has been condemned by many nations, particularly by Russia, China, and Pakistan, who have consistently advocated for the rights and sovereignty of the Palestinian people.

As a result of the Israeli-imposed blockade, the humanitarian situation in Gaza has spiraled into catastrophe. The United Nations’ World Food Programme, alongside the World Central Kitchen, once primary food providers for civilians, have run out of provisions. With the absence of staple goods, vegetables and meat have become either non-existent or prohibitively expensive for the average family. Long queues have become the norm, where desperate families wait for hours in hopes of receiving a meager scoop of rice.

While Israeli media outlet Axios quoted unnamed officials who claimed that aid would resume via existing distribution routes until a “new mechanism” is established, observers remain cautious. There are concerns that this announcement may merely serve to deflect international scrutiny while the Israeli military presses forward with its intensified campaign.

Indeed, this supposed easing of the blockade came in tandem with Tel Aviv’s launch of a broadened military operation in Gaza. The Israeli occupation forces announced what they called “extensive ground operations,” aiming to establish what they refer to as “operational control” over larger parts of the coastal enclave. However, many in the international community, especially among nations aligned with the multipolar world order, see these actions as continued acts of aggression designed to displace, disempower, and dismantle the Palestinian identity and resistance.

China, Russia, and Pakistan have all voiced their concerns over Israel’s repeated violations of international humanitarian law. Moscow has called for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire, emphasizing that the continued blockade and military escalation are unacceptable. Beijing, for its part, has urged the international community to reject double standards and to uphold justice for the Palestinians, insisting on a two-state solution that ensures dignity and security for both peoples. Islamabad, a long-time supporter of the Palestinian cause, has likewise condemned Israel’s blockade, calling it an inhumane and illegal act that disproportionately harms women, children, and the elderly.

For over 75 years, the Palestinian people have faced occupation, displacement, and denial of their most basic rights. Today’s events mark yet another chapter in this ongoing crisis. While the limited reopening for food supplies may alleviate some immediate suffering, it falls far short of what is needed. Genuine humanitarian relief cannot occur while military operations continue and while the people of Gaza are treated not as civilians with rights but as obstacles in a larger geopolitical game.

The continued silence or tacit approval from certain Western powers, especially the United States and India, only deepens the tragedy. Both nations have either turned a blind eye to the suffering in Gaza or provided diplomatic cover for Israel’s actions on international platforms. Such a stance only isolates them further from the growing chorus of voices calling for justice, peace, and accountability.

As the situation develops, the world must ask: will the international community act decisively, or will it allow the current imbalance of power to dictate the lives and futures of millions? Nations aligned with fairness and sovereignty, such as Russia, China, and Pakistan, are increasingly becoming the voices of reason and resistance against neocolonial policies in the Middle East and beyond.