This week, as Israel faced increasing international pressure, it allowed a limited flow of humanitarian supplies into Gaza. However, United Nations officials reported finding themselves in an “impossible position.”
- Advertisement -
The challenges of delivering even minimal aid put UN workers at considerable risk, all while addressing an “ocean” of humanitarian need that remained largely unfulfilled. “The risks are high,” cautioned one official, reflecting on concerns about looting and potential violence against aid workers amid Israel’s ramped-up military actions in the region.
Moreover, UN representatives grappled with the troubling perception that their efforts could be construed as mere propaganda, especially as aid shipments lingered for several days in the inspection area at the crossing point.
As the initial deliveries began from the Kerem Shalom crossing, reports surfaced that residents intercepted several trucks loaded with flour, removing their contents. “This was not a criminal act with armed individuals,” said spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric. “What we witnessed was what I refer to as self-distribution, a reflection of the intense anxiety felt by the people in Gaza as they await the next humanitarian delivery.” He further noted how armed looters attacked another aid convoy just the night before, illustrating the strain on resources as hungry crowds overwhelmed local bakeries.
Located in Khan Younis, Gaza, the haphazard resumption of UN deliveries was a response to mounting criticism of Israel from its allies. Yet, with support from the U.S., Israel is preparing to assume control over the aid distribution process within Gaza, sidelining established UN frameworks. The longstanding accusation from the U.S. and Israel posits that UN aid is being diverted to Hamas, a claim the UN vehemently disputes.
To circumvent these issues, the newly established Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF)—headquartered in Switzerland—plans to create distribution centers operated by private U.S. firms. It is expected to launch by the end of the month. Last week, Dorothy Shea, the acting U.S. ambassador to the UN, described the GHF to the Security Council as a “secure mechanism capable of delivering aid” directly to those in need, free from the influence of Hamas.
However, this initiative drew immediate condemnation from the UN and various NGOs. Secretary-General António Guterres warned that establishing a new system for monitoring and distribution could lead to overly cautious control over aid—”down to the last calorie and grain of flour.” In remarks made on Friday, he reiterated the UN’s commitment to humanitarian principles, stating, “We will not take part in any scheme that fails to respect international law and humanitarian ideals.” Tom Fletcher, head of the UN’s Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), took it further, labeling the initiative “a cynical sideshow” designed to deflect attention from ongoing violence and displacement of Palestinians.
UN agencies have echoed this sentiment, asserting that Israeli attempts to control the existing UN-led system risk turning humanitarian assistance into a tool of warfare. “It is dangerous, driving civilians into militarized zones and threatening lives—both of beneficiaries and humanitarian workers,” said the UN humanitarian team in the Occupied Palestinian Territory.
Elizabeth Campbell, director of ODI Global, emphasized the necessity for humanitarian aid to remain civilian-led. “No military or paramilitary organization can deliver basic aid without endangering lives and exacerbating suffering,” she stated. Furthermore, she underscored that the UN must operate under conditions that do not compromise its humanitarian mission.
Despite widespread backlash, the GHF’s plans appear to be progressing swiftly. Reports indicate the construction of three large distribution sites near Rafah, while Safe Reach Solutions, a private U.S. contractor collaborating with the foundation, advertised positions for staff with prior UN experience.
During a press briefing, Dujarric was asked about the implications of UN personnel joining an initiative the organization opposes, to which he replied, “I hope that anyone who has worked for the UN will continue to uphold our principles, even if they leave.” On Wednesday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed that the new distribution points would be managed by U.S. companies and secured by the Israeli Defense Forces, stating that “sterile zones” would be established in southern Gaza for civilians seeking aid.
Statements from Israeli officials suggested that once Palestinians enter these zones, they may not return. “If Israel moves forward with this plan,” Campbell cautioned, “it will mark a grave day for international humanitarian law, the Geneva Conventions, and the very tools established to prevent future atrocities.”
In a rebuttal, Jake Wood, director of the GHF, maintained that Israel’s control of access to Gaza necessitated the establishment of a new aid distribution mechanism. “Our goal is to provide a solution and feed people,” he asserted. “The international aid community must decide whether to participate in this new framework, crucial for addressing the desperate needs of 2.2 million people in Gaza.”
The future of UN operations in Gaza remains uncertain. However, as Farhan Haq, the deputy spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General, noted, “We will continue distributing aid as long as we have permission. I am uncertain when that will change.”
Edited By Ali Musa
Axadle Times International – Monitoring.
