Under intense international scrutiny, Israel has stepped up efforts to expedite the flow of aid into Gaza, especially in the north where severe hunger has gripped the enclave. The Biden administration and international aid officials have acknowledged Israel’s efforts, which include opening new aid routes. However, more aid is needed to avert famine in Gaza, according to Arif Husain of the United Nations World Food Program. The main requirements are for more food, water, and medicine to ease the suffering and prevent famine from occurring.
Despite the increased levels of aid reaching Gaza, humanitarian groups have emphasized that sustained aid distribution is crucial for preventing famine. Israel has faced criticism from aid groups for allowing only a trickle of aid into the enclave, citing war conditions, strict inspections, and limits on crossing points as reasons. However, Israel has responded to pressure, particularly after an Israeli airstrike killed seven aid workers from World Central Kitchen, by announcing the opening of more aid routes.
New avenues for aid delivery have included a partly functioning border crossing into northern Gaza and the Israeli port city of Ashdod. Infrastructure work is ongoing to make the northern crossing permanent and to open another nearby. The United Nations has shared videos online showing the successful delivery of aid, such as flour shipments, to Gaza. Defense Department officials have also announced the construction of a floating pier off the coast of Gaza, expected to facilitate the delivery of up to two million meals a day.
Despite the progress in aid delivery, the war continues, and Israel has indicated potential plans to invade the southern Gaza city of Rafah. Families of hostages taken captive in an attack have renewed calls for their release, with Hamas releasing recent proof-of-life videos of two hostages. The efforts to transport more aid into Gaza have coincided with stalled talks on a cease-fire and hostage release deals. The Jordanian military and government have increased aid convoys traveling through the West Bank and across part of Israel to reach southern Gaza, with Israel and the United Nations differing on the reported increase of aid deliveries.
The aid distribution process has been marred by discrepancies in tracking methods, with Israel reporting higher numbers of trucks entering Gaza daily compared to the United Nations. Tensions have also arisen over Israel’s accusations that Palestinian employees of UNWRA helped Hamas in an attack, leading to funding suspensions from several countries. Germany has resumed funding for UNRWA, while American officials have not made a decision on funding resumption. More than a dozen UN staff members remain under investigation, with cases being suspended pending further evidence.
