Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu recently said on the Full Send Podcast that he was concerned about the condition of women in Gaza.

He claimed, “The women of Gaza are property, they’re nothing, they have no rights, they’re completely subjugated. God forbid if they’re executed anytime they commit a so-called offence. I mean, it’s absurd.”

He also criticised young people who he said were “duped” into supporting Hamas, adding, “They say good is bad and bad is good. Have they no eyes to see, no ears to hear?” quoting the Bible.

Realities on the Ground

While Netanyahu voiced concern for Gazan women, critics pointed out that his government has been widely accused of denying those very women access to health, safety, and basic rights.

UN data shows that women and children make up more than half of the over 59,000 Palestinians killed since October 7, 2023. Early reports placed that figure closer to 70%. In the first six months, 2,036 women and 3,588 children were confirmed killed out of 8,119 civilian deaths.

The UNFPA estimates there are 50,000 to 55,000 pregnant women in Gaza, with 18,500 displaced from Rafah alone.

UN agencies report severe shortages of food, water, and medicine as Gaza remains under siege. Over two-thirds of the health system is not working.

The WHO recorded 686 attacks on healthcare in Gaza. Only eight hospitals still offer maternity care, and reproductive services are nearly gone.

Public Backlash

Netanyahu’s comments were met with disbelief and anger on social media.

One user wrote, “They’re oppressed… so we’re saving them by bombing them.”

Another said, “The women in Gaza are educated, doctors and nurses, lawyers, engineers, artists and teachers… Trying to reduce them to oppressed women because they dress in hijab, modest clothing is disgusting.”

“Imagine claiming to care about the rights of women in Gaza while bombing their homes, starving their children, and denying them access to healthcare and safety. There is no feminism in the occupation. You can’t liberate women by killing them,” one user wrote.

Someone else posted, “Have you no eyes to see, the genocidal Israeli regime that has been, for 655 days, slaughtering and starving 2M Palestinians?!?”

Many users called out what they saw as hypocrisy and erasure of Palestinian women’s real identity, women who have long contributed to healthcare, education, art, and community leadership in Gaza.

Netanyahu on Freedom and Choice

In the same podcast, Netanyahu said, “The people who are oppressed by Hamas are seen as supporting Hamas. Why are they locked in? They should be allowed to leave. Give them the choice, the freedom, a life, a future.”

However, critics pointed out that Israel and Egypt have jointly controlled Gaza’s borders for almost 20 years. Most Palestinians, especially women and children, cannot leave. Even humanitarian aid faces entry restrictions.

Starvation and Health Crisis

The blockade has triggered severe hunger. Gaza’s Health Ministry has reported 101 deaths from starvation and malnutrition, including 80 children.

Another 46 hunger-related deaths were recorded in July. The WHO described it as “man-made mass starvation.”

Nearly one-third of Gaza’s population goes days without food. About 10–20% of pregnant women and young children suffer from moderate to severe malnutrition.

Over 1,000 Palestinians have been killed while trying to reach aid points since May, according to humanitarian sources.

Widespread displacement, broken healthcare, and food scarcity have taken a heavy toll on civilians, especially women.

Netanyahu’s comments about freeing Gaza women come as the same military campaign led by his government continues to destroy the very systems women rely on for survival. Critics argue that this contradiction is not just political but deeply inhuman.

As one user summed up: “Have you no eyes to see the genocidal Israeli regime that has been, for 655 days, slaughtering and starving 2M Palestinians?”