COGAT says Hamas is exaggerating famine deaths in Gaza to gain political leverage, as part of smear campaign against Israel.
By World Israel News Staff
Hamas is dramatically inflating the number of Gazans it claims have died from malnutrition, without providing evidence to support its allegations, an Israeli entity affiliated with the IDF said on Tuesday.
Israel’s Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT) reviewed Hamas publications about alleged starvation deaths, finding that many of those listed as dying of malnutrition had actually died as a result of pre-existing medical conditions and other background illnesses.
A significant number of those alleged to have died from starvation had even sought medical treatment in Israel prior to the October 7th massacres, suggesting that their medical conditions were extremely dire.
According to COGAT, a broad review of data from the Strip — which included “analyzing broader photographic evidence and other available intelligence” — found “no signs of a widespread malnutrition phenomenon among the population in Gaza.”
Hamas is falsely promoting the narrative that Israel is starving Gazans in order to “achieve political gains,” COGAT said.
The entity noted that Hamas reported just 66 malnutrition-related deaths between the onset of the war and June 2025, over a 20-month span.
Yet in July 2025 alone, Hamas abruptly claimed 166 people had died of starvation.
The terror group also refused to publicly name those it claimed had died of malnutrition in July 2025, suggesting Hamas does not want the media to investigate the identities of the alleged famine victims.
“The Hamas terrorist organization cynically exploits tragic images and misuses them for a false and timed propaganda campaign aimed at generating pressure and creating negative public opinion against the State of Israel,” COGAT said.
COGAT stressed that it remains committed to “improving the humanitarian response in the Gaza Strip, in cooperation with the international community, while rejecting allegations of famine.”
The organization also cited two specific cases where Hamas claimed individuals had starved to death. In both, the deceased suffered from severe pre-existing illnesses — including muscular dystrophy, paralysis, and genetic diseases — unrelated to caloric intake.
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