Humanitarian Struggles Intensify in Gaza Amid New Israeli Aid Regulations

A coalition of humanitarian groups is urging Israel to amend recently introduced regulations that limit aid delivery to Gaza, claiming that these measures are contributing to severe food shortages and worsening health conditions in the region.

Humanitarian organizations are sounding alarms over new regulations enforced by Israel that are significantly hindering aid access to Gaza. In a joint letter, more than 100 groups, including prominent charities like Oxfam and Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), urged Israel to cease what they term the "weaponisation of aid" as starvation rates in Gaza escalate.

Since the enforcement of stricter aid regulations in March, these organizations report being increasingly denied permission to deliver essential supplies. They assert that the new measures require compliance to conditions that include submitting extensive personal data about Palestinian employees and avoiding any actions deemed as "delegitimising" the state of Israel. As a result, many international non-governmental organizations (NGOs) have been unable to deliver humanitarian aid, with claims that more than 60 requests were denied just in July.

Israel maintains that these regulations are designed to ensure aid reaches needy populations without being diverted by Hamas, which it accuses of exploiting aid efforts. According to Israeli authorities, around 300 trucks of aid enter Gaza daily through NGOs that have completed the registration process. However, humanitarian groups assert that they have been unable to deliver vital resources, such as food and medical supplies, leading to dire consequences, including increased mortality rates among vulnerable groups, including children and those with disabilities.

Sean Carroll, CEO of American Near East Refugee Aid (Anera), emphasized the urgency, stating that his organization has over $7 million worth of essential supplies waiting to be delivered but is blocked from doing so. Cogat, the agency responsible for overseeing aid, is quick to note that any delays are due to organizations not meeting the security requirements intended to prevent Hamas's involvement in aid.

Critics argue that the new registration requirements threaten the independence of humanitarian organizations and their ability to advocate for the people they serve. Bushra Khalidi of Oxfam highlighted the rejection of over $2.5 million worth of supplies intended for Gaza, stating that this undermines the impartiality needed for effective humanitarian response.

As military operations intensify in Gaza, with significant civilian casualties reported, the situation remains precarious. The U.N. has warned of severe humanitarian impacts, indicating that approximately 600 trucks of supplies are necessary daily to meet the needs of the population, a figure vastly overshadowed by current delivery capacities.

Amid ongoing conflict, Israeli authorities insist on the necessity of these measures to prevent aid diversion to hostile elements such as Hamas, complicating an already critical humanitarian landscape in Gaza. Humanitarian groups warn that without immediate intervention, starvation and health crises may worsen, leading to potentially catastrophic outcomes for the population.