DaysofPal- The United Nations and a coalition of humanitarian organizations operating in Gaza have firmly rejected an Israeli plan to reroute humanitarian aid through military-controlled channels, calling it a violation of international humanitarian principles.
In a joint statement issued by the Humanitarian Country Team (HCT) — which includes UN agencies and international NGOs — the group criticized Israeli attempts to dismantle the existing aid distribution system and replace it with one operated under Israeli military oversight. This development comes after Israel halted all humanitarian deliveries into Gaza for 64 consecutive days, worsening an already catastrophic humanitarian crisis.
“Israeli officials have sought to shut down the existing aid distribution system run by the United Nations and its humanitarian partners and have us agree to deliver supplies through Israeli hubs under conditions set by the Israeli occupation forces,” the statement read. “We will not participate in any scheme that does not adhere to the global humanitarian principles of humanity, impartiality, independence, and neutrality.”
The HCT emphasized that aid must be delivered according to international standards, without political interference or militarization. The statement aligns with recent comments by both UN Secretary-General António Guterres and UN Emergency Relief Coordinator Martin Griffiths, who warned that politicizing aid efforts undermines humanitarian work and risks further harming civilians.
Despite the closure of crossings and the suspension of aid, humanitarian teams remain active inside Gaza. The HCT confirmed that UN and NGO staff are “ready to again scale up the delivery of critical supplies and services: food, water, health, nutrition, protection and more”—if” the blockade is lifted.
The organizations also warned that thousands of tons of essential aid, including food and medicine, are stranded at border crossings due to the Israeli occupation’s restrictions. They urged the international community to pressure the Israeli occupation to immediately reopen crossings and restore safe, unrestricted humanitarian access to the besieged territory.
The rejection of the Israeli proposal comes amid growing international criticism of the humanitarian catastrophe unfolding in Gaza.
UN agencies have reported severe shortages of food, clean water, and medical supplies, with malnutrition and disease spreading rapidly among the displaced population, nearly half of whom are children.
As calls for a ceasefire and humanitarian access grow louder, the UN’s firm stance signals its unwillingness to compromise the neutrality of aid delivery under military control. The humanitarian community continues to push for immediate, unconditional access to Gaza’s 2.2 million residents, warning that delays cost lives each day.
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