UN, Aid Groups Warn Israeli Impediments Risk Catastrophic Collapse of Gaza Operations

The United Nations and a broad coalition of aid organizations issued a stark warning on Wednesday, stating that humanitarian operations across the Palestinian territories, with a particular emergency in Gaza, are on the brink of collapse. They cited a series of Israeli-imposed impediments, chief among them a “vague, arbitrary, and highly politicized” registration system for international NGOs (INGOs).

According to a joint statement from the UN and over 200 local and international groups, dozens of critical aid agencies face forced de-registration by December 31. This would mandate the shutdown of their operations within 60 days, stripping Gaza of essential life-saving services.

“The deregistration of INGOs in Gaza will have a catastrophic impact on access to essential and basic services,” the statement declared. It highlighted that these organizations “run or support the majority of field hospitals, primary healthcare centers, emergency shelter responses, water and sanitation services, nutrition stabilization centers for children with acute malnutrition, and critical mine action activities.”

Supplies Stranded, System Criticized as Arbitrary

While some groups have been registered under the system introduced in March, the statement condemned the ongoing process as fraught with obstruction. It reported that “arbitrary hindrances have left millions of dollars’ worth of essential supplies—including food, medical items, hygiene materials, and shelter assistance—stuck outside of Gaza and unable to reach people in need.”

Israel’s mission to the United Nations in New York did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the allegations.

Crisis Deepens Amid Fragile Truce

The warning comes against the backdrop of a fragile ceasefire that began on October 10, initiated under the first phase of a U.S.-backed plan. While the pause in the two-year war between Israel and Hamas has seen hostage and prisoner exchanges and an increase in aid, humanitarian agencies say the response remains critically inadequate.

Hamas officials contend that fewer aid trucks are entering Gaza than agreed. Aid agencies universally report that the volume of aid is far below what is required to address the catastrophic conditions, accusing Israel of blocking numerous necessary items. In August, a global hunger monitor declared that famine had taken hold in the territory. Israel denies impeding aid and asserts it is meeting its obligations under the truce.

No Substitute for Current Operations

The UN and aid groups emphasized that there is no ready alternative to the existing humanitarian network. “The UN will not be able to compensate for the collapse of INGOs’ operations if they are de-registered, and the humanitarian response cannot be replaced by alternative actors operating outside established humanitarian principles,” the statement read.

They underscored the fundamental nature of their work, stressing that “humanitarian access is not optional, conditional, or political,” and made a final urgent appeal: “Lifesaving assistance must be allowed to reach Palestinians without further delay.” The imminent deadline sets up a potential humanitarian cliff-edge for Gaza’s 2.3 million residents, already enduring severe deprivation.

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