Is There Really Starvation in Gaza by Israel or Hamas?
Hamas is a Palestinian Islamist political and militant organization that has governed the Gaza Strip since 2007. While it positions itself as a resistance group against Israel, many human rights organizations and observers have criticized Hamas for its governance and treatment of the people in Gaza.
How Hamas Treats Its Own People:
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Control and Governance:
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Hamas tightly controls Gaza’s political, social, and economic life.
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It suppresses political dissent and punishes critics, limiting freedoms within Gaza.
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Resource Mismanagement and Corruption:
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There have been numerous reports accusing Hamas leaders of diverting humanitarian aid and resources for their own benefit or military purposes.
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Food, medical supplies, and construction materials often get diverted from civilian use.
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Starvation and Economic Hardship:
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Gaza faces severe economic blockades primarily imposed by Israel and Egypt, but critics argue Hamas exacerbates conditions by prioritizing military spending over civilian needs.
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Many Gazans suffer from poverty and food insecurity.
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Some sources accuse Hamas of hoarding or stealing food aid meant for civilians.
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Propaganda and Misinformation:
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Hamas has been accused of using media and social platforms to exaggerate or fabricate images of starvation and suffering to gain international sympathy.
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Some widely circulated photos of Gaza’s hardships have been debunked or shown to be from different contexts.
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Impact on Gaza’s People:
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The civilian population in Gaza, especially children, often bear the brunt of this mismanagement and conflict.
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Starvation, limited medical care, and infrastructure damage worsen daily life.
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Humanitarian agencies struggle to deliver aid due to both external blockades and internal Hamas policies.
Examples of Fake or Misused Photos in Gaza Conflict Coverage
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Photo of a Child Injured in Syria Used as Gaza Victim
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An image widely shared on social media claimed to show a Palestinian child injured in Gaza, but it was later traced to Syria during the Syrian civil war.
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Source: Various fact-checking organizations confirmed the photo was from Aleppo, Syria.
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Old Photos from 2014 Gaza War Recycled in Later Conflicts
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During the 2021 Gaza conflict, many images were reposted from the 2014 war, giving a false impression of current destruction.
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This includes photos of damaged buildings and injured civilians that were several years old.
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Photos from Other Countries Mistaken as Gaza
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Some images originally taken in countries like Lebanon, Iraq, or even outside the Middle East have been misattributed as Gaza scenes.
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Example: Photos from the 2006 Lebanon war have been mislabeled as Gaza conflict damage.
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Misuse of Stock Photos
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Occasionally, stock photos of war-torn areas or suffering children from unrelated contexts have been used on social media to evoke sympathy or outrage.
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Why This Happens
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In fast-moving conflicts, emotional imagery is widely shared before verification.
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Some groups may intentionally use old or unrelated photos for propaganda purposes.
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Social media amplification often spreads these images quickly without context.
many analysts and experts believe Hamas deliberately uses propaganda—including exaggerated or manipulated images of suffering—to gain international sympathy and political support. Here’s why:
Reasons Hamas Uses Such Tactics to Gain Sympathy
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International Public Opinion
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Graphic images of civilian suffering can influence global public opinion, especially in Europe and Western countries, turning people against Israel’s policies and military actions.
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Political Pressure on Israel
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By portraying itself as a victim, Hamas aims to increase pressure on Israel to ease blockades, cease military operations, or make concessions.
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Mobilizing Support and Funding
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Sympathy from the international community can translate into increased humanitarian aid and political backing, which Hamas can sometimes divert or use to strengthen its position.
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Dividing Israel from Its Allies
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Influencing countries to criticize or sanction Israel can isolate Israel diplomatically.
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Recruitment and Internal Control
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Propaganda strengthens Hamas’s internal legitimacy and helps recruit supporters by emphasizing resistance and victimhood.
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Summary
Hamas’s use of propaganda—including misleading images—is a strategic effort to sway international opinion and apply political pressure on Israel. This complicates the conflict by mixing real humanitarian crises with information warfare.
Are you buying in the lies of the Gazans or not buying into the lies.