More than 100 international aid organizations signed a sharply worded statement Thursday accusing Israel of blocking humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip for months. They claim many have been unable to deliver aid since March, after Israel rejected dozens of their requests on the grounds that they were "not authorized."
The signatories say millions of dollars' worth of humanitarian supplies, including food, medicine, water and emergency equipment, are sitting in warehouses in Jordan, Egypt and the Israeli city of Ashdod. They argue the blockages stem from a new registration mechanism introduced in March that requires submitting lists of Palestinian employees for security vetting. They call the requirements illegal, dangerous for staff safety, damaging to the independence of aid groups and intended to limit humanitarian work.
COGAT: The reality is the opposite
The Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT) strongly denied the claims, saying Israel is working to facilitate humanitarian aid to Gaza while the Hamas terrorist organization seeks to exploit such aid to build military strength and tighten its control over the population. "This is sometimes done under the cover of certain international aid groups, knowingly or unknowingly," COGAT said.
In response, Israel's defense establishment developed a new aid entry mechanism to ensure that assistance reaches the population rather than Hamas. Under this system, organizations must undergo a structured registration process, including providing a list of their Gaza based staff for prior security screening.
COGAT stressed that the registration process is based on clear professional and security criteria designed to preserve the integrity of humanitarian efforts and prevent terrorist infiltration. "It is a transparent, clear process that was presented to all organizations in advance," the statement said.
Refusal by some aid organizations to share the required information and cooperate raises "serious concerns about their intentions and the possibility of links between the organization or its employees and Hamas," COGAT said.
By contrast, nearly 20 international organizations that complied with the procedure are bringing aid into Gaza regularly and in full cooperation with Israel. As proof, COGAT noted that about 300 truckloads of humanitarian aid enter the Gaza Strip each day, via registered organizations.
COGAT emphasized that any alleged delays in aid delivery occur "only when organizations choose not to meet the security requirements intended to prevent Hamas involvement." Instead of opposing the process and issuing statements, COGAT called on all international organizations wishing to send aid to Gaza "to act transparently, complete the registration and ensure the aid reaches residents, not Hamas."
