GENEVA (AP) — International aid agencies have expressed concern over Israel’s proposed plans to control aid distribution in Gaza, as these measures are expected to exacerbate the suffering and fatalities in the devastated Palestinian region. The area has been subjected to a complete Israeli blockade for almost 10 weeks, leading to severe shortages of essential supplies such as food and medicine.
The aid organizations have urged Israel to lift the ban on the entry of crucial goods into Gaza, citing the rising rates of malnutrition and hunger among the Palestinian population. UNICEF spokesperson James Elder emphasized that humanitarian assistance should never be utilized as a bargaining tool.
In response, U.S. ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, announced the initiation of a new system for the delivery of humanitarian aid and food to Gaza, with distributions scheduled to commence shortly. He assured that further details would be disclosed in the coming days, portraying the initiative as independent from Israeli involvement in the distribution process. Huckabee mentioned that private companies would handle security, while Israel’s military would safeguard the aid zones from a distance.
A new U.S.-supported entity known as the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation has proposed an aid distribution scheme aligned with Israel’s requirements, as per documents obtained by The Associated Press. The group comprises American security contractors, former government officials, ex-military personnel, and humanitarian workers. Nevertheless, concerns persist among aid workers regarding the efficacy of this approach.
The U.N. has opposed Israel’s endeavors to control aid operations in Gaza, citing violations of humanitarian principles in the proposed plans. Israel’s outlined strategy includes establishing a limited number of distribution centers within Gaza, requiring Palestinians to visit these hubs to collect aid. Armed security companies would oversee aid transportation and hub security, with recipients subjected to vetting protocols.
UNICEF’s Elder condemned the proposed plan as an attempt to exert control over essential resources as a coercive tactic, challenging Israel’s obligation to facilitate impartial humanitarian assistance. He highlighted the potential consequences of forced displacement and risks posed to vulnerable groups, including children, the elderly, and the sick. Elder stressed the urgent need to lift the blockade, allow unhindered humanitarian access, and prioritize saving lives.
Huckabee encouraged U.N. agencies and independent aid organizations to participate in the new aid mechanism. However, U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs spokesperson Jens Laerke reiterated ongoing concerns following discussions with Israeli authorities, underscoring the need for a comprehensive and sustainable solution to address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
The new plan presented to us by Israeli officials does not allow us to resume our life-saving activities in Gaza at the same scale as we did before the total blockade. The UN acknowledges that the aid plan cannot meet the scale of the humanitarian need. Israel initiated the blockade on Gaza on March 2 and resumed bombing the territory, ending a two-month ceasefire, in efforts to pressure Hamas to free their hostages and disarm. Human rights groups have labeled the blockade as a “starvation tactic” and a potential war crime.
The government has stated that aid distribution will only resume once a new system is in place, claiming that Hamas and other groups are diverting a significant amount of the aid. The UN and aid workers dispute these claims, stating that aid distribution is strictly monitored. Before the blockade, multiple UN agencies and humanitarian groups were distributing supplies at numerous locations in Gaza.
The main UN agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA, has been leading the efforts. Israel has accused the agency of being infiltrated by Hamas and has banned its operations in Gaza. UNRWA has denied these allegations and emphasized its crucial role in providing aid to Gaza’s population.
The Gaza Humanitarian Fund has proposed setting up four distribution sites initially, catering to 300,000 people each, with plans to eventually cover the needs of 2 million individuals. The proposal includes using armored vehicles for transporting supplies and providing security at the distribution sites to prevent criminal activities.
Challenges in aid distribution are exacerbated by the lack of independent media and monitoring in Gaza, as international media access is restricted by Israel. The biggest obstacle remains the blockage of hundreds of aid trucks that should be entering Gaza daily, which is the root cause of the humanitarian crisis in the region.
