Dangerous for civilians: UN rejects Israel's aid plan for Gaza

For nine weeks, neither food nor medicine has reached the war-torn Gaza Strip. Now, Israel is apparently planning new aid deliveries – albeit using a different system. The United Nations considers the plan unacceptable.

The United Nations will not support Israel's plan to deliver aid to the Gaza Strip due to serious humanitarian concerns. "(The plan) violates basic humanitarian principles and appears to be designed to tighten control over vital supplies as a means of pressure—as part of a military strategy," the UN humanitarian team in the Gaza Strip said.

The US news portal Axios reported on Friday that an agreement between the US, Israel, and a new international foundation for the distribution of aid was nearing completion. According to the report, a private US company would organize distribution at several locations within the largely devastated coastal area and ensure security. Palestinian families would receive a food package once a week, according to the report. The plans have not yet been officially confirmed.

Israel wants UN approval to distribute aid through Israeli distribution points under conditions set by the Israeli military. This strategy is dangerous because it forces civilians into militarized zones to receive rations. This could be life-threatening for both the people and the aid workers. Less mobile people cannot be reached this way, and forced displacement would be exacerbated. The United Nations can only engage with plans that guarantee the humanitarian principles of humanity, impartiality, independence, and neutrality.

Israel wants to cut off Hamas's source of funding

Israel has blocked all humanitarian aid deliveries since the beginning of March in an effort to prevent Hamas from profiting from them. The armed forces accuse the Palestinian terrorist organization Hamas of selling aid to the suffering population at inflated prices and using the proceeds to pay for its fighters and weapons. As a result, no food, drinking water, or medicine have reached the area for around two months. According to the UN, people are starving there, and hospitals can no longer care for the wounded and sick. The United Nations points out that international law prohibits collective punishment of the civilian population and that Israel, as an occupying power, has a duty to provide for the people.

Israel claims to be putting pressure on Hamas, the ruling Hamas group, to release the remaining hostages. They were abducted after the devastating massacre on October 7, 2023. The United Nations is calling for their unconditional release. According to Israeli information, 24 hostages and 35 bodies of abductees are currently being held in the Gaza Strip.