Netanyahu Responds to McCain’s Hunger Claims in Gaza
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, on Friday, took issue with Cindy McCain, the head of the World Food Program and widow of the late Senator John McCain, saying her statements about hunger in Gaza were exaggerated.
During a recent meeting in Israel, Netanyahu pointed out that food supply has significantly improved since Israel ramped up aid to Gaza a few weeks prior. Yet, McCain has since claimed that, according to various media outlets, the conditions in Gaza are worsening, and people are “hungry.”
Netanyahu’s office released a statement highlighting his meeting with McCain and U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham on August 27th. They discussed the humanitarian situation in Gaza, with McCain acknowledging that Hamas has been diverting humanitarian aid, selling it at high prices. She also mentioned noticing significant improvements during her latest Gaza visit, noting that food availability had increased, prices dropped, and markets had a better supply of various products.
Netanyahu expressed disappointment at McCain’s later statements, suggesting they contradicted what she had relayed in Jerusalem and described this as a misrepresentation. He emphasized that Israel ensures a stable flow of aid to Gaza and criticized the World Food Program for not partnering closely with the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, which is dedicated to providing food assistance.
He added that the real victims of hunger in Gaza are the hostages held by Hamas.
Previously, McCain had clashed with the Israeli government over misstatements regarding food aid. In December 2024, she inaccurately claimed that only two food aid trucks had entered Gaza the previous month, while Israel reported that the actual figure was 847.
