Gaza Humanitarian Snapshot #4

RAMALLAH, PALESTINE — Humanity & Inclusion joins other INGOs in releasing Humanitarian Access Snapshot #4, expressing severe concern today over the imminent collapse of the humanitarian response in Gaza, citing ongoing operational restrictions and the continued shrinking of the safe zone imposed by Israel. 

This new operational reality includes increasingly strict limits on the amount of cash allowed into Gaza, a limited number of medical and other essential items permitted into Gaza, and forced relocation orders that have asked civilians and humanitarians to move into an ever-shrinking area that is now less than 38,000 square meters – half the size of the White House Complex – where they remain unsafe from the military operation, is making it highly challenging for those in need to receive aid assistance. 

These new restrictions come at a time when the humanitarian response is already critically impeded, with July marking the lowest amount of aid entering Gaza since the start of the military offensive more than ten months ago.  

Camilla Dogliotti, HI Country Manager, states, "Humanitarian efforts in Gaza are stretched to the breaking point, leaving thousands without basic services. No place is safe, as people live in constant fear of forced evacuations and new attacks. We must protect the so-called humanitarian zones and ensure the safety of aid workers so they can continue to provide essential relief to those in desperate need. It’s time to act and show that humanity is not dead." 

The increasing restrictions on INGOs include:  

• There are no effective measures to protect humanitarian workers in Gaza, and instead, INGOs are taking an unprecedented level of risk to deliver aid. Israel has sought to establish so-called ‘safe zones’ and a notification system where organizations can inform Israeli forces of their locations and movements to avoid being targeted, falling short of safety measures. Essentially, they are no more than a mere reminder to Israel to uphold its existing obligations under international law—avoiding harm to civilians, civilian objects, and humanitarian workers. Tragically, these measures do not offer real safety, and humanitarian workers continue to be targeted.

• The latest evacuation order affected two blocks within the s, reducing its size from 12.6% to 11% of the Gaza Strip. Given the location of the blocks, there is growing concern that the safe zone may soon be divided into two separate areas, further restricting access to civilians in need. 

• When issuing forced relocation orders, the Israeli forces make clear that extensive ground operations will follow in those areas. This leaves humanitarian organizations with no choice but to continually move and shrink their operational area, making it impossible to respond based on fundamental humanitarian principles of need. 

• Additionally, the Coordination of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT) - a unit within the Israeli Ministry of Defense responsible for coordinating civilian and humanitarian affairs in the occupied Palestinian territory - has indicated a potential reduction in the amount of cash allowed into Gaza via international staff on the rotation system, from $2,800 to $500. This reduction will make it impossible for many organizations to cover essential expenses such as feeding staff, paying recurring rent, and compensating employees. A liquidity crisis has meant a severe cash shortage, and most people cannot withdraw cash from banks. 

Severe limitations on items allowed into Gaza hinder the distribution of necessities to civilians and increase risks for humanitarian aid workers. Israel has banned a wide range of items from entering Gaza due to their potential dual use for military operations. However, with essential items such as diapers and antibiotics included on this list, the true intent of these restrictions is questionable. 

 "Israel is demanding civilians move into even smaller areas of Gaza, which offer them no safety from the conflict, and this is coupled with other escalating restrictions. If this continues on its current trajectory, it will severely impede aid operations to the point where delivering essential aid to civilians in Gaza will become impossible.  

“There is no way to protect civilians or mitigate risk to our staff and partners. A ceasefire is the only option to ensure the safety of civilians, the safety of staff, and to ensure aid reaches the millions of people in dire need in Gaza.” – Lilu Thapa, DRC Middle East Regional Executive Director. 

The undesigning INGOs urge the international community to act to ensure an immediate and permanent ceasefire to protect civilians and ensure life-saving aid can reach all civilians in need without compromising the safety of humanitarian staff.  

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Note to editor: Since December, Israel has declared a 'humanitarian zone' in an area where repeated forced relocation orders have led to an increasing population density, even as the zone itself continues to shrink. This zone has been repeatedly targeted and offers no tangible safety for civilians or humanitarians.

Available for interviews:

• Noor Bimbashi, HI Advocacy Officer, Palestine
• Mara Bernasconi, HI Policy and Advocacy Advisor