Bread Lines and Salty Drinking Water: Israeli Aid Block Sets Gaza Back Again
New York TimesMAR 17
Hundreds of Israeli Reservists Call for Return of Hostages Even If War Must End
Above: People, carrying flags, stage a protest, demanding the return of Israeli hostages in Gaza, as they gather at Habima Square in Tel Aviv, Israel on April 7, 2025. Image copyright: Mostafa Alkharouf/Contributor/Anadolu via Getty Images
The Spin
Pro-establishment narrative
The return to war will not save the hostages. Furthermore, Israel's policy of blocking aid from entering Gaza is creating widespread starvation across the strip. Both sides need to make concessions so that the ceasefire can be fully implemented and the hostages are returned.
Pro-Israel narrative
Hamas got two weeks of a ceasefire for free as it refused to release additional hostages, making a return to war inevitable. Though the media have uncritically parroted Hamas propaganda regarding civilian casualties, the reality is Israel is targeting senior Hamas officials and the terror group's military infrastructure, which is embedded in civilian areas. If Palestinians in Gaza want the war to end, they should force Hamas to release the hostages.
Pro-Palestine narrative
It should be clear after over a year of grinding brutality that Israel's true goal is to destroy Gaza and starve its people. Indeed, starvation is an integral part of Israel's genocidal campaign. Children are on the verge of starving to death in their mother's arms, yet the United States and the international community have failed to end this travesty.