How Hamas’s Famine Strategy Outmaneuvered Israel

For the past two weeks, if not longer, reports of famine and starvation in Gaza have been dominating the headlines. After reading or listening to a variety of reports, a few things are clear: first, there is no famine in Gaza. Second, there have been serious shortages of food, especially in areas still under tight Hamas control, although over the past few days Israel has taken a variety of steps that will reverse those shortages. Third, Hamas is doing everything in its power—from propaganda, to hoarding aid, to attacking Palestinians seeking food from the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation—to create the image of famine and thus stop Israel’s plan to take over food distribution. It may have succeeded.