Humanitarian groups are raising urgent alarms over new regulations imposed by Israel, claiming they severely restrict critical aid from reaching beleaguered Gazans amid rising starvation rates. Over 100 organizations, including Oxfam and Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), have condemned this action, describing it as a "weaponisation of aid." They assert that many groups face denial of permission to deliver supplies unless they conform to Israel’s strict new rules, introduced in March.
These regulations mean organizations risk being banned if they critique Israel’s policies or fail to disclose personal details about Palestinian staff. Despite Israeli denials of any restrictions, humanitarian groups report that essential shipments have been repeatedly blocked, with a staggering 60 requests turned down in July alone. Sean Carroll, the CEO of Anera, highlighted that there are over $7 million in lifesaving supplies stranded just a few kilometers from Gaza due to these obstacles.
In response to these grim reports, Israel insists that delays are the result of organizations not meeting basic security protocols to prevent aid from being commandeered by Hamas. The Israeli military’s aid coordination body claims nearly 20 organizations are currently allowed to operate, with about 300 trucks entering Gaza daily. However, the UN estimates that around 600 trucks are necessary to meet the urgent needs of the Gazan population.
The controversial registration process introduced in March has been critiqued for undermining the independence of aid organizations, and those organizations that pose perceived risks may face restrictions or rejection of their applications. As the humanitarian crisis deepens and Israel intensifies its military actions in Gaza, aid groups are calling for immediate action to alleviate the dire situation, emphasizing concerns that starvation is becoming a weapon of war.
