The Short Answer
The war caused severe hardship for Gaza's civilians, and conditions remain difficult. Israel facilitated the entry of large volumes of food, medicine and fuel through its crossings throughout the war, while Hamas diverted aid for its own use. Since the October 2025 ceasefire, aid flows have increased, the Rafah crossing reopened in February 2026, and an international stabilization mission is beginning to support distribution.
How aid reaches Gaza
Israel's COGAT (Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories) coordinates the entry of aid trucks through crossings such as Kerem Shalom, alongside Egypt's Rafah crossing, maritime routes and airdrops by partner countries. During the war, Israel reported that hundreds of thousands of tons of food entered Gaza, and in 2025 the U.S.-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation set up additional distribution sites.
Israel has repeatedly documented Hamas seizing and reselling aid to finance its operations — a key reason Israel insists on distribution mechanisms that bypass Hamas.
Where things stand
UN agencies reported acute food insecurity during 2025, and an IPC assessment in August 2025 declared famine in Gaza City — findings Israel disputed as relying on flawed data. Since the ceasefire, aid volumes increased and the Rafah crossing reopened on February 2, 2026.
In July 2026, Israel's cabinet approved the entry of the International Stabilization Force (ISF), whose contributing countries include Morocco and Kosovo, to help deliver aid and restore services in areas not controlled by Hamas. Rebuilding Gaza at scale depends on Hamas disarming, as required by the peace plan.
Key Facts
- Israel's COGAT coordinates aid entry
- Hamas has been documented diverting aid
- Rafah crossing reopened February 2, 2026
- ISF entry approved by Israel in July 2026
Sources & Further Reading
- COGAT — Gaza humanitarian aid data
- Israel approves entry of International Stabilization Force — FDD's Long War Journal
- UN OCHA — occupied Palestinian territory updates
- Gaza humanitarian crisis — overview (Wikipedia)
This answer reflects publicly available information as of October 2026.