NGOs accuse Israel of “siege tactics” to block Gaza aid

Thirteen leading NGOs warned on July 15th that access to Gaza has become increasingly difficult, accusing Israel of intentionally blocking groups from distributing much-needed aid to civilians in the territory, The New Arab and agencies reported. 

In a press release sumarising the groups’ shared outlook — including Oxfam, Doctors Without Borders, Save the Children and the Norwegian Refugee Council — they denounced Israel’s “siege tactics” and “systematic obstruction of aid and its ongoing attacks on aid operations,” noting that Israel had facilitated 53 — less than half — of their 115 planned relief missions.

A recent UN report found that one in five Gazans suffer from acute food insecurity. UN Human Rights Commissioner Volker Turk also said that Israel may be responsible for the war crime of deliberate starvation for its heavy restrictions on Gaza. 

The NGOs said that Israel’s capture of Rafah’s border crossing brought aid deliveries to a “complete halt,” adding that tonnes of “absolutely necessary aid” were blocked “due to the deterioration in security conditions.” More than aid 1,500 trucks carrying medicines, first-aid kits and basic necessities were stuck in the Egyptian city of Al-Arish.

Oxfam also noted the five week journey required to transport 1,600 food parcels from Jordan to Gaza — a journey that it said “should take no more than six hours.” 

READ: Gazans flee war like ‘human pinballs’ whilst UNRWA lacks funding

Kerem Shalom — another priority crossing point for humanitarian aid — has also “deteriorated significantly since Israel’s offensive in May,” the groups said, making it “unsafe to access from within Gaza and currently not logistically viable.”

The statement also addressed Israel’s consistent attacks on Gaza’s once humanitarian turned “active combat zone,” making conditions “extremely unsafe” for the majority of the strip’s 2.4 million people who have sought refuge there. 

“These recent events are exacerbating the humanitarian catastrophe at a time when NGOs continue to come up against the obstacles imposed by the continuation of Israeli military operations on the ground,” the statement read.

Within the past nine days, Israel has targeted six school-turned-shelters — a fact that the NGOs also criticised. The country attacked Nuseirat Refugee Camp’s Abu Obairan school on July 14th, leaving 40 dead and another 80 wounded. 

Several humanitarian organisations have warned against the risk of famine in the region. Israel not only denies these claims, but also blames the UN for blocking aid deliveries.

The New Arab and agencies

 

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