Google in $45 million deal with Israel to deny Gaza famine, report claims

"According to documents cited by the report, Google's advertising platforms, including YouTube and Display & Video 360, were used to distribute promotional content designed to counter international concerns over humanitarian conditions in the territory. One YouTube video from Israel's Foreign Ministry, widely circulated through paid promotion, claimed: "There is food in Gaza. Any other claim is a lie." The clip has been viewed over six million times."

"The Israeli government's digital campaign coincided with a sharp increase in starvation deaths in Gaza. The enclave's Health Ministry said 185 people, including 12 children, died of hunger in August. The deaths came after the UN-backed Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) formally designated parts of Gaza as famine zones. More than 43,000 children under five are reported to be suffering from malnutrition, alongside 55,000 pregnant and breastfeeding women."

"The campaign, referred to internally using the Hebrew term hasbara, commonly translated as "propaganda", was launched amid growing global criticism of Israel's blockade. In Knesset discussions held the same day the blockade was imposed, lawmakers reportedly expressed concern not over the humanitarian impact but over the potential damage to Israel's international reputation. During one such meeting, military spokesperson Avichay Adraee suggested launching a "digital campaign to explain that there is no hunger and present the data." That proposal materialised in the form of Google advertisements, as well as additional paid promotions on other platforms."

Google's advertising platforms, including YouTube and Display & Video 360, were used to distribute promotional content designed to counter international concerns over humanitarian conditions in Gaza. A YouTube video from Israel's Foreign Ministry declared, "There is food in Gaza. Any other claim is a lie," and was widely promoted, garnering over six million views. The campaign coincided with a surge in starvation deaths, with Gaza's Health Ministry reporting 185 hunger deaths in August, including 12 children, and the IPC designating parts of Gaza as famine zones. More than 43,000 children under five face malnutrition and 55,000 pregnant or breastfeeding women are affected. The campaign, labeled hasbara ("propaganda"), prioritized protecting international reputation, included paid promotions across Google, X, Outbrain/Teads, and sought to discredit the UN and Gaza authorities while promoting a US-backed aid group.

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