United Nations agencies are raising urgent concerns over Israel’s proposed system to manage humanitarian aid deliveries into Gaza, warning that the plan could put more lives at risk rather than improve the dire conditions on the ground.
The agencies spoke out on Friday, saying Israel’s current total blockade, which has severely restricted the flow of food, water, medicine, and fuel for nearly ten weeks, must be lifted immediately to prevent further human suffering. They stressed that the territory’s 2.3 million people are already facing extreme shortages, with the health and nutrition of the population deteriorating by the day.
In response to the ongoing crisis, the United States has expressed support for a new aid distribution mechanism that would meet Israel’s security demands. U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee said a revised system for delivering humanitarian assistance would be launched “very soon,” although he did not provide a timeline or full details on how it would work.
The U.S.-backed plan is reportedly aligned with Israeli requirements, raising worries among aid agencies that such a framework would undermine the neutrality of humanitarian operations and slow down the already limited access to aid. Groups involved in relief efforts argue that humanitarian assistance must remain independent and impartial, and should not be subjected to political or military control.
Meanwhile, the humanitarian situation in Gaza continues to deteriorate. Hospitals are running out of basic supplies, clean water is scarce, and displaced families are sheltering in overcrowded and unsafe conditions. Aid workers say that unless unrestricted access is granted and essential goods can flow freely, the death toll from hunger, disease, and lack of medical care will rise rapidly.
International pressure is growing on Israel and its allies to open more entry points for aid and allow relief agencies to operate without interference. While diplomatic discussions are ongoing, UN officials caution that further delays or complications in delivering life-saving aid will only deepen the humanitarian catastrophe unfolding in Gaza.