Hamas halts ceasefire negotiations, blaming a “hunger crisis” in Gaza, even as Israeli footage exposes bustling markets stocked with fresh produce and Israeli goods.
GAZA CITY / JERUSALEM — The murderous Hamas terror group has announced a complete freeze in ceasefire negotiations, claiming the “worsening hunger” in Gaza makes talks impossible — a claim Israel dismisses as part of a coordinated propaganda campaign.
A senior Hamas source told Saudi outlet Al-Hadath that the terror faction will not return to the negotiating table until there is a “significant improvement” in humanitarian conditions inside the enclave.
US Pressure Forces Israel to Bend
The freeze comes after heavy US pressure forced Israel to alter its Gaza policy, introducing “humanitarian pauses” and boosting aid deliveries.
Under the new approach, the IDF has declared a daily ten-hour ceasefire in heavily populated areas — including Gaza City, Deir al-Balah, and the Muwasi humanitarian corridor — until further notice.
But Israeli security officials have slammed the move, warning it hands Hamas a major bargaining chip — one of its top demands — without requiring the group to release even a single hostage.
Propaganda vs. Reality
Israel says the entire “starvation crisis” narrative is manufactured propaganda, allegedly fueled by Qatar and amplified by international media.
Footage from inside Gaza shows a very different reality:
- Crowds shopping freely in open-air markets.
- Stalls stacked with fresh fruit, vegetables, and even Israeli canned goods.
- Shoppers casually paying in Israeli currency.
The visuals directly contradict Hamas’ portrayal of a population on the brink of famine.
A Case in Point
One recent example of misinformation: Hamas-backed outlets widely circulated a claim that 5-year-old Osama al-Rakab was suffering due to Israel’s blockade. In truth, Israel had already evacuated the boy to Italy for urgent medical treatment for a pre-existing condition — unrelated to the war.
The Bigger Picture
Israeli officials believe Hamas’ latest move is part of its “starvation campaign” strategy:
- Weaponize humanitarian concerns to stall ceasefire talks.
- Build international pressure on Israel to make unilateral concessions.
- Cement global sympathy while avoiding any commitment to release hostages.
With hostage negotiations now frozen and propaganda battles escalating, the rift between humanitarian aid policy and security strategy is becoming a central fault line in the Gaza conflict.
