Hamas on Sunday denounced what it described as "the crime of starvation" imposed by the Israeli occupation on the people of the Gaza Strip, calling it "the most heinous chapter of genocide" as famine deaths continue to rise.

In a statement, the movement said that airdrops of humanitarian aid are "merely propaganda" that endanger civilian lives and "are no substitute for opening the land crossings and bringing in aid trucks." It accused the US administration and other governments backing the occupation of being "partners in the war of starvation and genocide."

Hamas demanded the immediate and unconditional opening of all crossings, alongside the delivery of safe and sufficient quantities of aid to meet the needs of Gaza’s population. It urged intensified popular mobilization "in all the capitals of the world to condemn the occupation, pressure for an end to the war of starvation and genocide, and break the siege."

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The movement also praised the global demonstrations and mass actions held on August 6 in cities and capitals worldwide, which it said reflected international rejection of the war on Gaza and "exposed the terror of the Zionist-Nazi occupation against defenseless civilians, including children and women."

Gaza Famine Deepens

The condemnation comes as Gaza faces one of the worst humanitarian crises in modern history. According to UN-backed assessments, at least 217 Palestinians, including around 100 children, have died from starvation since the siege tightened, with over 1.1 million people now in "catastrophic" hunger conditions. UN Special Rapporteur Michael Fakhri has accused "Israel" of "starving Gaza" in what he called an act of genocide, warning that the territory has become "the most efficient starvation machine you can imagine." Humanitarian agencies report that food distribution sites are often scenes of lethal violence, with over 1,600 people killed and 11,800 wounded since late May while trying to access aid.

While crossings have remained largely shut under the blockade, preventing sustained aid deliveries, airdrops have also been criticized by humanitarian groups as dangerous and inadequate. Gaza’s Government Media Office reports that such operations have killed 23 people and injured 124 since the war began, with most drops landing in areas under Israeli occupation or in evacuated neighborhoods, putting civilians at risk of direct targeting. Past incidents have included aid packages falling into the sea and drowning 13 Palestinians, as well as parachutes failing and pallets crashing into crowds. Observers say these tactics amount to public-relations gestures that cannot substitute for opening land routes and ensuring a safe, continuous aid flow.

In related developments, “Israel” is reportedly planning a full military takeover of Gaza City as part of a wider scheme to cement its occupation of the entire Gaza Strip, a move Hamas warns will intensify the genocide, worsen famine conditions, and further strengthen Palestinian resolve to resist until liberation.

Read more: Thousands protest in Tel Aviv against gov. plan to expand Gaza war