Refugee International accuses Israel of impeding humanitarian aid to Gaza

Since the beginning of 2024, Israeli authorities have only facilitated less than 20% of humanitarian missions outrightly rejecting half of requests of food distribution

Muslim Network TV Desk

WASHINGTON – Refugee International, a global NGO, has blamed Israel for creating severe obstacles to humanitarian aid operations in Gaza.

The investigation conducted by the NGO in January has shed light on the dire conditions prevailing in the region, marked by widespread hunger and deteriorating health services after five months of conflict.

The report released by the NGO on Thursday highlights Israeli policies that obstruct aid efforts, including arbitrary denial of goods, complex approval processes, and attacks on critical infrastructure.

Palestinians in Gaza faced significant challenges accessing essential services and humanitarian aid until Egypt opened the Rafah border on October 21, facilitating the delivery of the first aid convoy.

However, the report stated that despite this opening, blockade tactics have persisted throughout the conflict, leaving Gaza cut off from critical supplies such as food, water, fuel, and basic necessities for its 2.2 million inhabitants.

“All but two border crossings remain closed to humanitarian traffic, and commercial traffic is even more limited. The Israeli air campaign has meanwhile decimated Gaza’s critical civilian infrastructure, resulting in a total blackout and drastically reduced access to clean water,” the report added.

It further stated that blockade has prompted a dramatic reduction in the operational capacity of the prewar aid mechanism. From a pre-war baseline average of 500 trucks per day – both aid and commercial – figures now range between 50 to 100 daily—a massive % loss of capacity and nowhere near what is necessary to save lives.

Since the beginning of 2024, Israeli authorities have only facilitated less than 20 % of humanitarian missions aimed at delivering aid and assessing conditions in the north. Over half of all requests were outright rejected, with a focus primarily on food distribution while support for hospitals and sanitation facilities was overwhelmingly denied.

In response to accusations, Israel has stated to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) that it employs pre-strike notifications to warn of military actions. However, there have been instances where such warnings were not given, putting aid workers and civilians at risk. The report also highlights ongoing attacks on humanitarian sites and personnel, indicating a lack of meaningful effort from Israel to improve the situation.

The report stated that even in times of peace, Israel applied extensive restrictions on Gaza, using a system it has now weaponized to obstruct adequate aid.

–Limited humanitarian aid

Before October 7, Gaza received limited humanitarian aid and commercial goods, with about 500 trucks (excluding fuel) entering daily—the majority of which passed through the Kerem Shalom crossing. All shipments underwent thorough inspections and faced significant vetting imposed by Israeli authorities for so-called “dual use” items.

To facilitate the inspection and delivery process, coordination mechanisms were established at key entry points into Gaza, involving collaboration between Jordan, Egypt, and Israel. Scanning equipment was installed at major border crossings, including Rafah, Kerem

Shalom, and Erez, to expedite security checks. Approved trucking companies transported goods from Egypt, Jordan, and Israel directly into Gaza via designated routes.

Israel’s political leaders are seizing on the UNRWA accusations to push the United States and other donors to permanently defund, dismantle, and replace UNRWA.

On February 14, Israel’s Finance Minister blocked major shipments of flour, cooking oil, chickpeas, rice, and sugar from reaching UNRWA and suspended UN agency’s use of Ashdod port for receiving food deliveries.

UNRWA is indispensable to Gaza’s aid infrastructure, delivering 80 % of the aid and employing over 13,000 staff—3,000 of whom are dedicated to emergency relief. The closure of UNRWA would leave a vacuum no other agency is prepared to fill quickly, drastically increasing the risk of famine in Gaza.

Refugee International’s recommendations include urging Israel to comply with world court measures, end siege tactics, and allow transparent aid delivery.

They also advise the United States to reassess security assistance to Israel pending a compliance review and call upon the U.S. Congress to address Gaza’s food crisis and oversee Israel’s adherence to humanitarian law.

Egypt is called upon to facilitate aid transit, and the UN is urged to enhance humanitarian coordination and resources for Gaza.

The NGO, which has been advocating for refugee rights globally since 1979, conducted interviews with key stakeholders in the aid response system during their visit to Egypt, Jordan, and Israel in January 2024.

Despite international legal mandates and pressure, Israel’s compliance with humanitarian obligations remains insufficient, exacerbating the suffering of the people in Gaza.

Read complete report here.