Aid Groups Accuse Israel of ‘Weaponizing’ Gaza Relief Amid Rising Death Toll

By Staff Writer

DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip — More than 100 nonprofit organizations, including Oxfam, Doctors Without Borders, and CARE, accused Israel on Thursday of “weaponizing” humanitarian aid in Gaza and the West Bank through restrictive new regulations. They say the rules — requiring full donor and staff lists for vetting — could endanger personnel and allow Israel to block aid from groups it deems politically unfavorable.

The groups claim that since Israel implemented the blockade in March, most have been unable to deliver a single truckload of life-saving supplies. They argue the policy replaces independent aid with organizations aligned with Israel’s political and military objectives.

Israel Denies Allegations, Cites Security

Israel’s military body for coordinating aid, COGAT, rejected the accusations, saying delays only occur when groups refuse to meet security requirements aimed at preventing Hamas involvement. On Wednesday, 380 trucks reportedly entered Gaza — well short of the 600 per day that aid agencies demanded during a two-month ceasefire.

Israel has urged U.N. agencies to accept military escorts for deliveries, a proposal most have refused, citing the need to maintain neutrality.

U.N. spokesperson Stephane Dujarric confirmed that U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff met with humanitarian officials in New York to discuss rapidly scaling up aid access.

Mounting Casualties from Strikes and Hunger

Gaza hospitals reported fresh casualties from Israeli airstrikes in Gaza City, which Israel labeled a militant stronghold last week. A strike killed one person and wounded three others, while another attack killed five more, according to local hospitals.

Since the war began on October 7, 2023, over 61,700 Palestinians have been killed, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry, including thousands of women and children. Israel disputes these figures but has not provided its own.

The ministry also reported four more malnutrition-related deaths Thursday, bringing the total to 239, including 106 children.

Settlement Expansion in E1 Draws Criticism

In the occupied West Bank, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich announced plans for 3,500 housing units in Maale Adumim’s E1 area, a move Palestinians and rights groups say could bisect the West Bank and end hopes for a viable Palestinian state.

Peace Now called the plan “deadly for the future of Israel” and a fatal blow to the two-state solution. Final approval is expected next week.

Italy Evacuates Injured Palestinians

As criticism of Israel’s aid restrictions grows, Italy evacuated 114 Palestinians from Gaza on Wednesday, including 31 children with severe injuries or serious congenital diseases. Since the war began, Italy has evacuated over 900 Palestinians through medical and family reunification programs.

SOURCE: AP News