Palestinians queue for a hot meal at a charity kitchen at the Nuseirat refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip . AFP
On Friday, Axios reported that the US, Israel, and representatives of a new international foundation were close to an agreement on how to resume the delivery of humanitarian aid to Palestinians in Gaza without it being controlled by Hamas.
In early March, Israel blocked the entry of all humanitarian aid into Gaza, including food, plunging the territory of 2.3 million people into what is believed to be the worst humanitarian crisis since the war began.
Two weeks later, Israel shattered an eight-week-long ceasefire deal in Gaza by resuming deadly bombardment, killing at least 2,600 Palestinians since then.
According to that plan, aid operations in Gaza would be channelled through an internationally governed foundation, backed by nation states and philanthropic entities.
Israeli officials told Axios that, under the plan, several compounds would be built in part of Gaza, and Palestinian civilians will be able to go there once per week to receive one aid package per family that will be sufficient for seven days.
However, the heads of all UN agencies and NGOS operating in Gaza said in a joint statement on Sunday that the plan Israeli officials presented to them was unacceptable and would not enable the delivery of aid to "less mobile and most vulnerable people."
"It contravenes fundamental humanitarian principles and appears designed to reinforce control over life-sustaining items as a pressure tactic — as part of a military strategy," they said in the statement.
"It is dangerous, driving civilians into militarized zones to collect rations, threatening lives, including those of humanitarian workers, while further entrenching forced displacement," the statement added.
Moreover, they noted that they see the plan as a way for Israel to shut down the existing aid distribution system run by the UN and replace it with a new system controlled by the Israeli military.
"The UN Secretary-General and the Emergency Relief Coordinator have made clear that we will not participate in any scheme that does not adhere to the global humanitarian principles of humanity, impartiality, independence and neutrality," they stated.
The heads of all UN entities and non-governmental organizations have unanimously affirmed this position, according to the statement.
Political blackmail
Hamas has declared its firm rejection of any attempts to use humanitarian aid as a tool for political blackmail, expressing support for the UN’s stance against arrangements that undermine humanitarian principles.
In a statement on Monday, the group also denounced the proposed Israeli mechanism, describing it as a violation of international law and an apparent evasion of the occupation's responsibilities.
“We reject the use of aid as a tool for political blackmail,” the group stated.
“We support the UN position opposing any arrangements that fail to uphold basic humanitarian principles,” it expressed.
Hamas also affirmed that Israel is deliberately creating famine in the Gaza Strip.
“The continued blockade of aid and the obstruction of the humanitarian distribution system reveal Israel’s intent to create starvation,” the group said.
Short link: