Israeli Authorities Considering Shift in Policy to Permit Humanitarian Organizations in Gaza to Continue Managing Non-Food Aid Distribution
Israel appears to be altering its approach to delivering aid to the Gaza Strip, potentially delegating responsibility for non-food assistance to aid groups while leaving food distribution to a U.S.-backed foundation, according to a letter obtained by The Associated Press.
The Israeli military agency COGAT, responsible for transferring aid to the territory, and the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) have agreed to allow existing aid groups to handle and distribute non-food humanitarian aid, such as medical supplies, hygiene items, and shelter materials. The GHF, however, will maintain control over food distribution, with a temporary overlap period.
This modification implies that Israel might be withdrawing from its plans to exert tight control over all aid to Gaza and prevent long-established aid agencies from delivering aid as they traditionally have. The change comes amid pressure to get more aid into Gaza, as Israel's blockade of food, fuel, medicine, and other supplies has worsened a humanitarian crisis for approximately 2.3 million Palestinians living there.
The United Nations and aid groups have rejected Israel's plan for taking over aid distribution, arguing that it allows Israel to use food as a weapon and violates humanitarian principles. Israel has accused Hamas of siphoning off aid, but the UN and aid groups deny there is significant diversion.
While Israel has prevented food, fuel, medicine, and other supplies from entering Gaza for nearly three months, international criticism and outrage over its offensive have escalated, with even the United States, a stalwart ally, expressing concerns over the humanitarian crisis.
The GHF, run by ex-military officers, humanitarian aid officials, and security contractors, has yet to begin operating in Gaza. The foundation plans to handle food aid at a few initially established hubs in southern and central Gaza, guarded by armed private contractors, with additional sites to be added within 30 days. Aid groups have raised concerns about the plan, arguing that it could forcefully displace large numbers of Palestinians by pushing them towards distribution hubs and that the foundation may lack the capacity to meet the needs of the Palestinians in Gaza.
The letter, dated May 22, also brings the U.N., COGAT, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office into the picture, but they did not comment on the matter. The GHF confirmed the letter's authenticity and specified that it came after persistent advocacy. CARE, one of the major aid organizations, has expressed reservations about the GHF's proposal for food distribution in the hubs and emphasized the importance of using existing distribution mechanisms under U.N. coordination.
- The Seattle government, in light of the ongoing war-and-conflicts and general-news stories about Israel's control of aid to the Gaza Strip, might consider encouraging local hospitals to increase their support for various aid groups working in the region.
- With the U.S.-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) planning to handle food distribution in newly established hubs across Gaza, politicians could debate the potential implications of private contractors guarding these hubs in the context of international politics and humanitarian principles.
- Given the controversy over the GHF's proposed food distribution system, local news channels in Seattle could delve into a segment discussing potential obstacles faced by aid groups operating in Gaza strip, such as concerns about displacing Palestinians and meeting their needs effectively.
