New study finds that while sufficient food was supplied to Gaza between January and July 2024—exceeding international caloric and nutritional standards except for dietary iron—logistical challenges and interference have obstructed equitable distribution. The authors emphasize the need for better coordination among humanitarian agencies and real-time tracking to ensure aid reaches those in need.
A newly published study in the Israel Journal of Health Policy Research provides an objective, data-driven analysis of food supplies delivered to Gaza over the first seven months of the Hamas-Israel war. Conducted by a multi-disciplinary research team, the study evaluates the quantity and nutritional value of food shipments and their compliance with international humanitarian standards.
The study finds that a total of 478,229 metric tons of food were supplied to Gaza over the seven-month period. The per capita daily nutritional supply averaged:
3,004 kcal of energy (well above the Sphere humanitarian standard of 2,100 kcal/day)
98 g of protein (13% of total energy)
61 g of fat (18% of total energy)
23 mg of iron (below the recommended minimum)
With the exception of February, where a decrease in supply was noted, food deliveries demonstrated a steady increase over the months studied. Even after adjusting for projected food losses, the energy, protein, and fat content of the food met or exceeded the Sphere humanitarian standards for food security and nutrition. The only shortfall observed was in dietary iron levels, which did not meet the recommended minimum and may contribute to anemia and other nutritional deficiencies over time.
While the study confirms that caloric needs were met, it emphasizes that food deliveries alone do not guarantee food security. The key challenges preventing equitable access to food include:
+ Logistical obstacles and security risks in a conflict zone
+ Interference in food distribution by Hamas, which has been reported to divert or control aid instead of allowing its fair distribution
+ Breakdowns in coordination among humanitarian agencies
The study shows that large quantities of food were consistently supplied via Israeli border crossings and airdrops. Nevertheless, it identifies distribution failures inside Gaza—caused by logistical difficulties and interference—as the primary barriers to food reaching those in need.
The study highlights the urgent need for improved coordination between COGAT, the UN Food Security Cluster, and international aid organizations to ensure that food reaches the most vulnerable populations. The authors stress the necessity of continuous, systematic, and verifiable assessments of food availability and real-time tracking of aid distribution to prevent food diversion and ensure that humanitarian assistance reaches its intended recipients.
The study underwent rigorous peer review and was led by Prof. Aron Troen from the Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, and Prof. Ronit Endevelt from the School of Public Health at the University of Haifa and the Israel Ministry of Health. Co-authors include Prof. Dorit Nitzan from the School of Public Health at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, and postdoctoral researcher Naomi Fliss-Isakov from Tel Aviv University and the Israel Ministry of Health, under the guidance of Prof. Gilad Twig from Tel Aviv University.
The study analyzed food supplied via Israeli border crossings and air drops between January and July 2024, using data from the Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT), which itemized daily food shipments by type and estimated weight.
The research team urges health professionals, humanitarian agencies, and international partners to enhance coordination and implement evidence-based interventions to ensure food security and equitable distribution. They emphasize that, despite the ongoing conflict, collaborative efforts are critical to improving nutritional security for Gaza's civilian population.
