JERUSALEM — The anticipated deadline set by the U.S. for Israel to increase humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip passed on Tuesday without any restrictions being placed on arms shipments to Israel in response. The Biden administration clarified that it would continue to facilitate military transfers to Israel, even amid growing concerns about humanitarian conditions in Gaza.
As a result of stringent border controls imposed by Israel, the flow of essential food and aid supplies has plummeted, reaching some of its lowest levels this year. Experts in food security and human rights advocates indicate that a famine may already be kicking in, particularly in northern Gaza, where the population of approximately 2.3 million Palestinians is becoming increasingly reliant on international assistance amid the ongoing conflict with Hamas, which has persisted for nearly 13 months.
Jan Egeland, the secretary-general of the Norwegian Refugee Council and a key player in humanitarian relief, reported on his visit to Gaza, expressing grave concerns about what he termed “deliberate starvation of almost 2 million civilians” while fighting continues. He emphasized that the aid entering Gaza is minimal, creating an urgent need for increased support.
Israel maintains control over all access points to Gaza and insists on its commitment to facilitating humanitarian assistance. The government asserts that international organizations, including the U.N., need to improve their distribution efforts and claims that criminal elements are intercepting aid before it reaches those in need.
State Department spokesman Vedant Patel highlighted the importance of enhancing aid and stated that, as of now, the U.S. has not determined that Israel has violated any laws requiring compliance with international humanitarian standards or obstructing humanitarian aid. Patel specified that the goal is to see an overall improvement in the humanitarian situation.
Aid deliveries to Gaza are typically quantified by truckloads entering the region. The U.S. has pressed for an influx of 350 trucks per day, but current averages show approximately 57 trucks per day in October and slightly higher numbers projected for November. Meanwhile, the U.N. counts the daily truck influx at a mere 39 since October, indicating a significant shortfall. In northern Gaza, where military operations have intensified, aid levels are alarmingly low, with reports indicating no aid reaching the areas of Jabaliya, Beit Lahiya, and Beit Hanoun throughout October.
Israeli authorities attributed the suspension of aid during the Jewish high holidays in October and state that they have also had to limit aid access due to ongoing military offensives against Hamas combatants. In recent days, Israel’s military body that manages aid transfers has indicated that some supplies have begun reaching the northern regions, but evidence shows that only a small fraction of incoming trucks has been successfully distributed, as reported by the World Food Program.
Humanitarian organizations have criticized the Israeli military for obstructing aid-conveying vehicles from accessing areas under heavy conflict, where the need for food and supplies is urgent. Louise Wateridge, a spokesperson for UNRWA, pointed out that having aid available at the border is futile if safe access to transport it is denied.
UNRWA has played a pivotal role in procuring and delivering aid, but tensions between the agency and Israel led to a ban on its operations just last month. Reports indicate that an alarming 43% of all humanitarian movement requests were rejected by Israeli authorities, with an additional 16% impeded in October alone. Aid groups have noted that many vehicles are being barred entry for no clear reason, with accusations of arbitrary denial based on potential threat assessments.
Faced with mounting international scrutiny, Israel has pledged to increase the frequency of aid deliveries and opened a fifth crossing for humanitarian supplies, although operational details about the new crossing remain uncertain.
Distribution of aid is further hindered by criminal activities along transport routes, with Israeli officials claiming a significant portion of supplies are being stolen by organized gangs. The military has acknowledged that some supplies destined for Gaza have been waiting for months at a key crossing without being collected, amidst concerns over theft.
Aid agencies warn of increasing danger for workers and supply deliveries. Reports show rising violence against aid employees, with at least 326 humanitarian workers losing their lives since the conflict escalated. The future of regular aid deliveries remains uncertain as timing and access continue to pose critical challenges.
As the deadline for increased aid has now passed, responses from the U.S. government remain pending. Meanwhile, Israel’s new foreign minister has expressed optimism about resolving the humanitarian supply issues, reinforcing a diplomatic stance aimed at addressing U.S. concerns. The military’s announcement of the fifth aid crossing represents a step toward meeting U.S. demands, though clarity regarding its operational timeline is yet to be established.