Israel’s plan to use army to disburse aid sparks fear of further displacement in Gaza

Palestinians line up to receive hot meals, distributed by charity organisations, as the Israeli embargo and attacks continue in Gaza City. PIC/Getty Images

Israel has blocked aid from entering Gaza for two months and says it won't allow food, fuel, water or medicine into the besieged territory until it puts in place a system giving it control over the distribution.

But officials from the UN and aid groups say proposals Israel has floated to use its military to distribute vital supplies are untenable. UN officials say this would allow military and political objectives to impede humanitarian goals, put restrictions on who is eligible to give and receive aid, and could force large numbers of Palestinians to move - which would violate international law.

Israel has not detailed any of its proposals publicly or put them down in writing. But aid groups have been documenting their conversations with Israeli officials, and media personnel obtained more than 40 pages of notes summarising Israel's proposals and aid groups' concerns about them.

Aid groups say Israel shouldn't have any direct role in distributing aid once it arrives in Gaza, and most are saying they will refuse to be part of any such system. "Israel has the responsibility to facilitate our work, not weaponise it," said Jens Laerke, a spokesperson for the UN agency that oversees the coordination of aid to Gaza.

Since the beginning of March, Israel has cut off Gaza from all imports, leading to what is believed to be the most severe shortage of food, medicine and other supplies in nearly 19 months of war with Hamas. Israel says the goal of its blockade is to pressure Hamas to free the remaining 59 hostages taken during its October 2023 attack on Israel that allegedly launched the war.

Israel says it must take control of aid distribution, arguing without providing evidence that Hamas and other militants siphon off supplies. Aid workers deny there is a significant diversion of aid to militants, saying the UN strictly monitors distribution.

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