In recent developments surrounding the blockade of aid to Gaza, Israel has halted the entry of essential supplies such as food, fuel, water, and medicine into the region for two consecutive months. The Israeli government insists on establishing a distribution system it controls before allowing any aid entry. This stance, however, is met with substantial opposition from United Nations officials and various aid organizations. They argue that military involvement in aid distribution could blur the lines between military objectives and humanitarian efforts, imposing eligibility restrictions and potentially forcing mass displacement of Palestinian residents, which would contravene international law.
Despite ongoing discussions, Israel has refrained from making any of its proposals publicly available or committing them to paper. Yet, aid groups have compiled detailed notes from dialogues with Israeli representatives. Reports reveal tension between Israel’s security-focused strategy, which the aid groups oppose, and humanitarian standards that guide these organizations’ operations. Most aid groups resist the notion of Israel directly administering aid once it reaches Gaza. “Israel has the responsibility to facilitate our work, not weaponize it,” emphasized Jens Laerke, spokesperson for the U.N agency concerned with Gaza’s aid coordination.
Inflexible negotiations have reached a stalemate, with aid agencies rejecting proposed conditions. Efforts to obtain comments from COGAT, the Israeli military body overseeing aid coordination, and the Israeli prime minister’s office remained unanswered. Since March commenced, the blockade has precipitated a severe scarcity of essential supplies, unseen in nearly 19 months of intensified conflict between Israel and Hamas. The Israeli administration claims the blockade’s intention is to pressure Hamas into releasing 59 hostages captured in the October 2023 attack. Their justification often revolves around unsupported claims that Hamas diverts aid intended for civilians. Conversely, aid workers assure that aid distribution is heavily monitored to prevent such diversions.
One controversial Israeli proposal is to establish a centralized aid distribution system consisting of five hubs, managed by military or private security providers, concentrating control over aid resources. Aid groups caution that forcing Palestinians to travel to distant hubs for their supplies could lead to unlawful displacements. The consolidation of aid delivery points also raises concerns over potential safety hazards, with large numbers of people gathering in proximity to Israeli forces. Past incidents have shown fatal outcomes when tension escalated at aid distribution sites.
Humanitarian standards typically call for around 100 distribution points for a population the size of Gaza’s 2.1 million inhabitants. Present Israeli propositions fall significantly short of this benchmark. In addition to these logistical issues, aid workers stress that a comprehensive humanitarian system must cover various needs, such as healthcare and infrastructure repairs, beyond merely supplying food. Difficulties in transporting heavy aid packages across Gaza, particularly amidst ongoing fuel shortages, further complicate aid delivery.
Israel’s apprehension lies in the possibility of aid strengthening Hamas by boosting its support base, and the fear that intercepted aid could be used for gaining additional resources. As some aid groups oppose direct collaboration with Israeli forces, the government is considering involving private security contractors in aid roles. However, engagement with armed personnel raises alarms about escalating risk across the aid delivery process.
Concerns extend to Israeli proposals allowing oversight on the eligibility of Palestinians who could receive aid, imposing opaque processes that could marginalize aid organizations and Palestinian citizens alike. Additionally, aid workers report restrictive measures, including demands for staff personal data and potential bans on aid organizations based on their stance towards Israel. Such constraints challenge the operational independence and impartiality fundamental to humanitarian work.
In the face of these complexities and potential threats, aid groups urge solidarity and resilience in preserving humanitarian principles. According to Bushra Khalidi of Oxfam, any involvement in a militarized aid distribution system is a deeply troubling prospect that jeopardizes both aid workers and Palestinian civilians. Discussions continue as aid organizations strive to navigate an increasingly constrained operational environment in Gaza.