The desperately needed increase in humanitarian aid allowed into Gaza under the new ceasefire deal is a welcome development, but also an implicit admission that Israel restricted vital supplies throughout the war, according to legal and aid experts. The agreement permits a surge to 600 aid trucks entering the blockaded Palestinian territory daily, where 90% of the population is going hungry and famine looms in some areas after 15 months of devastating conflict.
Israel Criticized for “Intentionally Decreasing” Aid During War
Human rights groups argue the aid increase shows Israel, which controls border crossings into Gaza, always had the ability to allow more food, medicine and essential supplies but chose not to. Tania Hary, head of Israeli NGO Gisha, said the provision is “effectively an admission” that authorities limited the humanitarian response, noting that Israel consistently claimed there were “no limits” on aid and blamed shortages on logistical failures by aid groups.
Our understanding is that Cogat [the Israeli authority coordinating aid] is ready to fast-track aid to meet the ceasefire target. I can’t think of anything more glaring as an admission that until now they have been doing the opposite.
– Tania Hary, Gisha
Starvation as a Weapon of War?
Israel faces accusations of deliberately starving Palestinians in Gaza as a war tactic. Aid groups say the 600 daily aid trucks, while an improvement, are still insufficient given the scale of destruction and displacement. Before the war, around 500 trucks entered daily to supply Gaza’s functioning economy. In recent months, UN figures show only a few dozen trucks got through.
The fact that the deal increases aid illustrates that Israel controlled the amount throughout the war. This reflects that Israel intentionally decreased aid, which is evidence of a war crime where the population suffers starvation as a consequence.
– Itamar Mann, University of Haifa
Israel’s Legal Obligations as an Occupying Power
Experts say that as the occupying power, Israel is legally responsible for meeting the basic needs of civilians in Gaza. Lifting aid limits and opening more border crossings to facilitate the flow of supplies is a step in the right direction but falls short of its obligations under international law. Getting the aid to those who need it most will also prove challenging.
- Lack of Access: Most Gazans are sheltering in the south, but the majority of aid is destined for the heavily damaged north.
- Dangerous Conditions: Navigating bombed-out roads and ruined infrastructure to distribute aid remains extremely difficult and dangerous.
- Reliance on UNRWA: An Israeli bill targeting the UN agency, which has been crucial to aid efforts, threatens to further complicate the response.
Critics argue the ceasefire deal doesn’t go far enough and that aid provisions should have been an integral part of Israel’s military planning from the outset, not a bargaining chip. The 600-truck target is seen by some as Israel simply agreeing to abide by international law after 15 months of failing to do so at a catastrophic human cost.
A Shattered Gaza Left Waiting for Relief
For the people of Gaza, the increased aid can’t come soon enough. 90% of homes are damaged or destroyed, nearly 2 million are displaced, medical services are crippled, and clean water is scarce. The promised surge of supplies offers a flicker of hope, but much more will be needed to pull the shattered Palestinian territory back from the brink after so much destruction.
People have lost everything, they need everything. Any increase from what we have today is going to be very welcome.
– Juliette Touma, UNRWA
As the fragile ceasefire takes hold, all eyes will be on Israel to see if it honors its commitment and legal obligation to allow the unfettered flow of vital humanitarian aid into Gaza. For the desperate population, it’s already a case of too little, too late, but hopefully the beginning of a lifeline after 15 months of war and isolation.
