Humanitarian groups are expressing alarm over Israel’s proposed control over the distribution of aid in Gaza, fearing that it could lead to forced displacement of Palestinians and disrupt essential humanitarian work.
Israel has blocked aid from entering Gaza for two months, citing the need to implement a system that allows the military to oversee the distribution of food, water, fuel, and medicine.
Israel’s proposals include using the military to oversee aid distribution, a move that has sparked strong opposition from the United Nations and various aid organizations. According to officials, these proposals would allow Israel’s military and political objectives to interfere with humanitarian goals.
Aid groups argue that this system could impose restrictions on who can deliver and receive assistance, while also potentially forcing large numbers of Palestinians to relocate, which would violate international law.
“There is a clear responsibility to facilitate humanitarian work, not to weaponize it,” said Jens Laerke, spokesperson for the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). He added, “The humanitarian community is ready to deliver aid, and either our work is enabled or Israel will bear the consequences of failing to meet the needs of 2.1 million people.”
Palestinian children stand over empty containers at a food distribution centre in the Nuseirat camp for refugees, in the central Gaza Strip, on April 30, 2025. (AFP Photo)
One of Israel’s central proposals is the creation of five food distribution hubs in Gaza, a move that would centralize the aid distribution process. According to documents obtained by The Associated Press, all aid would be routed through a single crossing in southern Gaza and delivered to these hubs, which would be located south of the Netzarim Corridor, isolating northern Gaza.
Aid groups fear that limiting the distribution points would force Palestinians to move long distances to access aid, potentially displacing entire families. “Forcing people to gather at a few distribution hubs will put them in danger and potentially lead to forced displacement, which is a violation of international law,” said a representative from a major humanitarian organization. “The proposal also raises concerns about crowding, as large groups of people would gather in areas near Israeli troops.”
Palestinian children stand over empty containers at a food distribution centre in the Nuseirat camp for refugees, in the central Gaza Strip, on April 30, 2025. (AFP Photo)
The potential involvement of private security contractors in the distribution process has also raised concerns. Some aid groups have documented conversations with Israeli officials indicating that companies like Safe Reach Solutions, a U.S.-based security firm, were considering testing a system to distribute aid using contractors in Gaza.
Humanitarian organizations have strongly opposed this idea, stating that armed personnel could intimidate civilians and compromise the integrity of humanitarian operations.
“We are against any involvement of armed or uniformed personnel in the delivery of aid. It is crucial that aid is delivered impartially, without the presence of military or security forces,” said Bushra Khalidi of Oxfam.
Another key issue raised by humanitarian organizations is the potential for Israel to restrict who can receive aid based on “opaque procedures.”
Aid groups have expressed concern that Israel may impose criteria to determine eligibility, potentially barring certain individuals or organizations from receiving or delivering aid. Some groups have also been told they will need to re-register with Israeli authorities, a process that could be used to exclude organizations critical of Israeli policies.
Palestinian children stand over empty containers at a food distribution centre in the Nuseirat camp for refugees, in the central Gaza Strip, on April 30, 2025. (AFP Photo)
Since March 2, Israel has cut off all aid supplies to Gaza, resulting in severe shortages of food, medicine, and other essential goods.
According to humanitarian officials, this has led to a crisis in which many community kitchens have closed, and families are resorting to scavenging for food. The United Nations has warned that Gaza is on the brink of a humanitarian disaster, with many residents facing severe malnutrition and lack of access to clean water.
Olga Cherevko, a spokesperson for the U.N. humanitarian agency OCHA, described the situation in Gaza as dire, saying, “Food stocks have mainly run out, and water access has become impossible. People are fighting for water, and some are even killing each other over it.”
“Supplies are becoming depleted while the war rages on; food stocks have now mainly run out,” she told a press conference in Geneva via video link. “Water access has become impossible. In fact, as I speak to you, just below, downstairs from this building, people are fighting for water. There’s a water truck that has just arrived, and people are killing each other over water.”
“I am seeing children and I’m seeing elderly people rummaging through these piles of trash, not only in search of things to burn, but also things to eat daily,” she added.
Palestinian children stand over empty containers at a food distribution centre in the Nuseirat camp for refugees, in the central Gaza Strip, on April 30, 2025. (AFP Photo)
As the blockade continues, aid groups are calling for urgent international action. The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has warned that without immediate action, the humanitarian situation in Gaza will deteriorate further.
Gavin Kelleher, a humanitarian access manager with the Norwegian Refugee Council, stated, “Thousands of people will die if nothing is done. The humanitarian response in Gaza is on the verge of total collapse.”
Palestinian children stand over empty containers at a food distribution centre in the Nuseirat camp for refugees, in the central Gaza Strip, on April 30, 2025. (AFP Photo)
Humanitarian organizations continue to insist that aid must be delivered independently of military control and that the rights of the people in Gaza must be upheld. “For us to work directly with the military in the delivery of aid is terrifying,” said Khalidi. “This should worry every single Palestinian in Gaza, and it should concern every humanitarian worker around the world.”
May 03, 2025 11:59 AM GMT+03:00
