Claims that Israel’s actions in Gaza are motivated by a desire to seize oil and gas resources have circulated widely on social media since October 7, 2023, and have been amplified by outlets like Al Jazeera, Russia Today, and TRT World. However, these claims lack factual basis. Gaza has no known oil reserves, and its only significant energy asset is the small, undeveloped Gaza Marine gas field, containing roughly 30 billion cubic meters (BCM) of natural gas—less than 3 per cent of Israel’s own reserves. Experts argue that the field’s size makes it an unlikely motivator for military action.

The origins of these claims trace back to a 2019 report by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), which suggested that the Palestinian territories sit atop potentially valuable energy reserves. Critics argue that the report is misleading, as it conflates the Levant Basin’s resources—which span multiple countries, not just Gaza or the West Bank—with Palestinian assets. Furthermore, the report relies on discredited sources, including conspiracy theorists with known antisemitic and Russian propaganda ties. This misinformation has nonetheless gained traction, with prominent anti-Israel voices on social media asserting the conflict is about energy resources.

Experts insist that Israel’s actions in Gaza are primarily driven by security concerns related to Hamas, rather than resource acquisition. The spread of the Gaza oil myth illustrates the challenges of combating misinformation, especially when endorsed by credible institutions like the UN.

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