Humanitarian Crisis Deepens as Israeli Restrictions Hinder Aid to Gaza

Humanitarian NGOs report severe restrictions imposed by Israel on aid delivery to Gaza, claiming that more than 60 requests for relief supplies were denied in just July. These regulations have made it increasingly difficult for organizations to operate, resulting in significant shortages of essential supplies amid ongoing violence.

More than 100 humanitarian organizations have united in a plea to Israel to halt what they describe as the "weaponization of aid" entering Gaza, as conditions worsen and starvation becomes more prominent. Esteemed charitable entities, including Oxfam and Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), have reported that they face increasing obstacles, being told they lack authorization to deliver aid unless they adhere to stricter Israeli guidelines.

Many organizations risk being banned from operating if they allegedly "delegitimize" Israel or fail to provide detailed information about their Palestinian staff, according to the joint letter. In contrast, Israel rejects claims of aid restrictions, asserting that these new rules, introduced in March, are designed to ensure that aid is delivered directly to civilians rather than Hamas.

The signatories indicate that since March, major international non-governmental organizations (NGOs) have not successfully delivered a single truckload of lifesaving supplies. They cite a concerning trend where the Israeli authorities denied over 60 requests from NGOs to deliver essential goods in July alone. This failure to deliver aid has dire consequences, leaving medical facilities devoid of basic necessities and causing deaths from hunger-related issues among vulnerable populations.

Sean Carroll, CEO of American Near East Refugee Aid (Anera), noted that they have $7 million worth of lifesaving supplies, including enough rice to provide six million meals, stranded just kilometers from Gaza. Israel has responded, stating that any aid delivery itself is only delayed due to organizations not adhering to specific security requirements intended to prevent Hamas's interference.

Cogat, the Israeli military governing body responsible for aid, reported that nearly 20 organizations that have completed the registration process are currently supplying aid to Gaza, with around 300 trucks entering each day. However, the United Nations suggests that at least 600 trucks are necessary daily to adequately meet Gaza's needs.

The newly implemented guidelines demand NGOs to follow stringent registration requirements to maintain operational status in Israel, with applications subject to rejection if deemed contrary to Israel's democratic character or if the group engages in delegitimization efforts against the state.

Israel's Diaspora Minister, Amichai Chikli, has emphasized that organizations are only mandated to comply if they have no historical connections to hostile actions. He reassured that those without ties to violence would be allowed to assist. Oxfam’s Bushra Khalidi disclosed that Israel has blocked over $2.5 million worth of essential supplies from entering Gaza, illustrating the tight constraints imposed on these organizations.

The backdrop of this humanitarian crisis is the ongoing warfare, where Israel has intensified its attacks on Gaza City as part of a broader strategy. The UN reported that 859 Palestinian civilians were killed near sites associated with the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) since May, a claim GHF contests. Aid experts within MSF have described the situation as an "active weaponization of starvation," calling attention to the appalling humanitarian conditions that continue to decline as the conflict persists.

As the international community demands action against the unfolding catastrophe, the acute crisis echoes the severe consequences of war, with reports of mass casualties on both sides, including the devastating impact on civilians in Gaza.