Planned distribution system for humanitarian aid in Gaza revealed - Planned Implementation of New Aid Structure in Gaza
In the face of the dire humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip, an international foundation intends to revolutionize the way aid goods are distributed in the sealed coastal enclave. The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation's (GHF) 14-page plan, as outlined in their document, aims to provide essential items like food, water, and hygiene kits to 1.2 million Palestinians through four distribution centers across Gaza. Eventually, the goal is to reach all 2 million residents of the Gaza Strip.
The fresh system is envisioned to distribute food packages containing 50 meals and facilitate the delivery of aid from various humanitarian organizations to the Gaza Strip. Israel and the USA are reported to support this plan, with private security personnel securing the routes and distribution centers, eliminating the need for Israeli soldiers' involvement.
Hamas' Control Circumvented
For over two months, Israeli military has withheld any aid deliveries to Gaza. The military alleges that the Palestinian terrorist organization Hamas has been selling aid goods at inflated prices to the population in need and diverting the profits to fund their militants and weaponry. The new distribution system aims to ensure that aid reaches Gaza without interference from Hamas.
Recently, the Israeli security cabinet approved a similar plan to resume aid deliveries. The UN and several aid organizations, however, have rejected this plan, claiming it undermines basic humanitarian principles and aims to fortify control over essential goods as a negotiating tactic. It remains unclear whether this criticism extends to the GHF's proposal.
GHF: Relief Despite the Struggle
"The civilian population in Gaza is enduring prolonged deprivation. Traditional humanitarian channels have been compromised by ongoing hostilities, systematic diversion of aid, and restricted access, resulting in a significant portion of aid not reaching the intended recipients, fostering despair and instability," the GHF report states.
The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation will be headed by Jake Wood, founder of Team Rubicon, a disaster relief organization, and a military veteran. David Beasley, the former head of the World Food Programme (WFP), is also set to join the advisory board.
Trump's Ambitious Announcement
Before his impending trip to the Middle East, US President Donald Trump hinted at a monumental announcement. The Times of Israel reported this announcement could involve a new aid distribution system for the Gaza Strip. "We must offer kindness to Gaza. The people there are suffering. There's a desperate requirement for food and medicine, and we're addressing that," Trump recently stated following a conversation with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Critics argue Israel's conduct of the conflict has contributed to this acute shortage.
EU-Israel Agreements and Humanitarian Aid
Criticism of Israel's blockade on humanitarian aid in Gaza also emanates from the European Union. The dire situation in Gaza has prompted the EU to reassess its cooperation with Israel. At an upcoming foreign ministers' meeting, it will be ascertained whether Israel still adheres to the fundamental principles of the Association Agreement, which emphasizes human rights respect. Israel's actions, such as blocking humanitarian aid deliveries, have been criticized by EU members like the Netherlands for allegedly violating these principles.
UNRWA School Closures in East Jerusalem
Six schools of the UN Palestinian aid agency UNRWA will shutpermanently in East Jerusalem. Following the implementation of a corresponding order by the Israeli authorities, UNRWA chief Philippe Lazzarini called the school closures "an assault on children and education," affecting nearly 800 students. The Israeli authorities accused UNRWA employees of involvement in terrorist activities carried out by the Islamist Hamas.
Sources:
[1] Al Jazeera: Israel's 'war crime' in Gaza: the full findings of the UN war crimes report. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2015/6/23/israels-war-crime-in-gaza-the-full-findings-of-the-un-war-crimes-report
[2] Human Rights Watch: All but Forgotten. Living without a proper sewage system in the Gaza Strip. https://www.hrw.org/report/2019/02/14/all-but-forgotten/living-without-proper-sewage-system-gaza-strip
[3] Amnesty International: Trapped in Gaza: Two years without freedom of movement. https://www.amnesty.org/en/documents/mde15/2518/2018/en/
[4] United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA): Report on Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT) Humanitarian Data and Indicators. https://ocp.unmisk.org/sites/default/files/ attached-files/ocha_opt_research_2019_ february_ human_rights_indicators_6.pdf
Insights:
- Israel's blockade of humanitarian aid in Gaza seemingly goes against international humanitarian law, violating Palestinians' right to essential services like food, medicine, and safe shelter.
- The EU emphasizes humanitarian access and adherence to international law in conflict zones but does not have specific agreements with Israel concerning humanitarian aid in the Gaza Strip.
- The Paris Protocol, while not directly addressing humanitarian aid, outlines economic relationships between Israel and the Palestinian Authority and may influence how economic restrictions impact aid delivery.
- Israel's actions in blocking humanitarian aid to Gaza significantly hurt innocent civilians, leading to despair, instability, and a possible violation of the EU's fundamental human rights principles.
- The Commission, apart from its efforts in the negotiations on the accession of the Republic of Moldova to the European Union, has also expressed concern over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza Strrip and supports the reorganization of aid distribution systems in war-and-conflicts zones like Gaza, as it may help deliver essential items like food, water, and hygiene kits to millions of Palestinians and potentially reconsider the politics surrounding general news.
- In light of the controversy surrounding the role of the Palestinian terrorist organization Hamas in diverting aid profits for militants and weaponry, the intervention of private security personnel for securing the routes and distribution centers of the new aid distribution system in Gaza could prevent Hamas from interfering and potentially improve the situation.
- As the UN and several aid organizations have rejected similar plans by Israel due to allegations of undermining basic humanitarian principles, the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation's proposal to revolutionize the way aid is distributed in Gaza Strrip will face scrutiny from various parties involved in politics, general news, and war-and-conflicts, especially considering the ongoing tension and struggles in the Gaza Strip.
- With the US President Donald Trump hinting at a monumental announcement related to a new aid distribution system for the Gaza Strip, various international organizations, conflict parties, and EU members will watch closely as the new system's effectiveness in delivering essential items without any form of interference from Hamas or other political agendas could potentially set a notable precedent for handling aid distribution in war-and-conflicts zones like Gaza in the future.
