Escalating Israel-Palestine Conflict: UN Criticizes US-Israel Aid Scheme in Gaza as 180,000 Are Displaced in Ten Days
A contentious humanitarian organization, funded by the United States and supported by Israel, has initiated operations in southern Gaza as the Israeli military continues its assaults across the war-ravaged enclave, aiming to gain control over the entire territory.
In the last 10 days, between May 15 and May 25, more than 180,000 people have been displaced in Gaza, according to the United Nations International Organization for Migration (IOM).
The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), which circumvents aid distribution networks set up by the United Nations and charities, announced it had begun distributing food aid to Palestinians on Tuesday after setting up its first distribution hubs in southern Gaza. However, the UN and international aid agencies have declared they will not cooperate with the Switzerland-registered organization, citing concerns that the aid scheme might be used for political purposes, potentially leading to further displacement of Palestinians.
Jens Laerke, spokesperson for the UN humanitarian office, stated that the deliveries are a "distraction from what is actually needed", and instead, calls for the reopening of all crossings into Gaza and more Israeli approvals for emergency supplies that are currently stationed outside Gaza's borders, awaiting entry.
The GHF has pressed forward with its mission, despite the resignation of executive director Jake Wood last Sunday, who asserted that the organization could not adhere to "humanitarian principles of humanity, neutrality, impartiality and independence". According to reports, the new operation will rely on four main distribution centers in southern Gaza that will screen families for ties to the Palestinian group Hamas, potentially using facial recognition or biometric technology, according to aid officials.
Details about how the operation will unfold remain murky, especially regarding how Palestinians scattered across central and northern Gaza—many of them sick and weakened by hunger—will access the aid, considering they will need to travel significant distances under risky security conditions.
"Only those who move southwards will get aid," said Al Jazeera's Tareq Abu Azzoum, reporting from Deir el-Balah in central Gaza. "People will be forced to travel long distances under very dangerous circumstances to receive parcels that will be enough for a few days; and, later on, they will need to travel again."
Many Palestinians are concerned about the GHF's ties to the Israeli government, citing massive concerns regarding the use of aid as a political tool to control the movement of Gaza's population. As the GHF operation started, 13 more Palestinians were killed across the Strip on Tuesday, raising the total death toll from the conflict to more than 54,000.
European Union chief Ursula von der Leyen denounced Israel's deadly airstrikes on civilian facilities during its expanded military offensive as "abhorrent". Her criticism was spurred by Israel's bombing of a Gaza City school the previous day, which killed 36 people, mostly women and children.
Amid growing international criticism, Itamar Ben-Gvir, Israel's far-right national security minister, defied critics by stating that Gaza should be denied aid. Ben-Gvir went as far as to suggest that the Palestinians should only be offered a bullet to the head instead of humanitarian aid.
On a separate note, Israel's military claimed it had intercepted a missile and another projectile fired from Yemen, where Houthi rebels have regularly launched attacks in solidarity with Palestinians under attack in Gaza. The Houthis have been firing missiles and drones at Israel since the start of the war in 2023, with most projectiles being intercepted. A missile fired by the group in early May hit the perimeter of Ben Gurion airport near Tel Aviv for the first time.
Israel has also carried out several attacks on Yemen in recent months, including on ports and the airport in Sanaa.
- Initial reports suggest the GHF operation could impact 'general-news', as the United Nations and international aid agencies have expressed concerns that the aid might be used for political purposes.
- The ongoing 'war-and-conflicts' in Gaza have displaced more than 180,000 people in the last 10 days, causing a significant 'health' crisis within the enclave.
- As the GHF mission proceeds, there are growing concerns among Palestinians about the organization's ties to the Israeli government and the potential misuse of aid as a 'politics' tool to control population movement.
- 'Accidents' and safety risks are perceived as major obstacles, as Palestinians need to travel long distances under 'dangerous' security conditions to access essential aid.
- Amidst international criticism, Israel's national security minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir, has defied critics by stating that Palestinians should be denied aid and suggested they receive a 'bullet to the head' instead.
- Beyond the Gaza conflict, the ongoing 'terrorism' activities in Yemen have led to remaining tensions between Israel and the Houthi rebels, with several missiles and projectiles being exchanged and intercepted between the two countries, affecting 'sports-betting' activities and adding to the existing global concerns over 'crime-and-justice'.
