Only 12 trucks carrying food and water have reached the North Gaza Governorate in over two months. Oxfam reported this alarming situation on Sunday. The aid organization warned of a worsening humanitarian catastrophe in the besieged Palestinian territory.
Israeli officials, however, dismissed the report. They called it “deliberately and inaccurately” critical of their efforts to address the crisis.
“Out of the scarce 34 aid trucks approved for entry into North Gaza, delays blocked most deliveries,” Oxfam stated. The count includes deliveries up to Saturday.
Furthermore, Oxfam revealed a troubling pattern. In three cases, schools serving as distribution points were shelled within hours of aid delivery.
Israel has strictly regulated aid to the Hamas-controlled territory since the war began. They often blame distribution challenges on relief agencies’ limited capacity to handle large-scale operations.
The Israeli defense ministry’s Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT) strongly rejected Oxfam’s claims. “The Oxfam report ignores the extensive humanitarian measures undertaken by Israel in northern Gaza,” COGAT stated to AFP.
“Since October, over 2,100 aid trucks have entered northern Gaza,” they added. These trucks delivered food, water, and medical supplies to Beit Hanoun, Beit Lahia, and Jabalia.
Water Crisis and Human Rights Concerns
Meanwhile, Human Rights Watch released a report last week. They alleged systematic efforts by Israeli authorities to deprive Gazans of water. The New York-based organization stated these measures likely caused thousands of deaths. They also warned of ongoing fatalities.
These accusations add to growing criticism of Israel. The criticism has intensified during its 14-month-long conflict with Hamas militants. The war began after Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attack on Israel. This attack resulted in 1,208 deaths, mostly civilians, according to official Israeli figures.
In response, Israel launched a military offensive. This offensive has killed at least 45,317 people in Gaza. Most of the casualties were civilians, according to Gaza’s Hamas-run health ministry. The United Nations considers this data reliable.
Blocked Humanitarian Access in Gaza
Oxfam emphasized the challenges faced by international aid groups. Since October 6, Israel has intensified its bombardment of northern Gaza. This has continually blocked life-saving assistance from reaching those in need.
“Thousands remain cut off without aid,” Oxfam noted. “Exact numbers are impossible to confirm due to restricted access,” they added.
Furthermore, humanitarian organizations have received distress calls. These calls came from people in shelters and homes entirely out of food and water.
One incident in November highlighted these difficulties. A convoy of 11 trucks was delayed at an Israeli military checkpoint in Jabalia. Desperate civilians seized some food at the holding point. Further delays forced drivers to unload aid in a militarized zone, inaccessible to civilians.
UN Seeks Accountability in Gaza
In a related development, the UN General Assembly passed a resolution on Thursday. The resolution requested the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to examine Israel’s obligations to support Palestinians.
This resolution reflects mounting international pressure. The world is increasingly calling for accountability amidst the ongoing conflict and humanitarian crisis.
