As pause in hostilities allows aid to flow in, agencies call for accountability and for same cycles of neglect and impunity not to be repeated
A new survey of 35 aid agencies working in Gaza found that Israel failed to improve humanitarian access over the last year, despite a ruling from the International Court of Justice (ICJ) demanding immediate action to protect Palestinians in Gaza from acts of genocide and risk of irreparable harm to their rights.
The survey, conducted among NGOs including Oxfam, Islamic Relief, Médecins du Monde, ActionAid and the Norwegian Refugee Council reveals how Israel systematically denied and restricted aid, supplies and services both into and within Gaza since the ICJ ruling on 26 January 2024. It found that up until the commencement of the temporary ceasefire:
- 89 per cent of those completing the survey said that Israeli actions regarding the provision of aid had worsened since the ICJ's ruling.
- 93 per cent said the humanitarian situation for the people receiving their aid and services had deteriorated.
- 100 per cent of surveyed agencies importing humanitarian supplies into Gaza said the Israeli procedures for aid entry were either ineffective, had systematically impeded the humanitarian response, or were insufficient to meet the huge needs.
- 95 per cent of agencies who imported aid supplies inside the Gaza Strip said they regularly encountered delays, with some reporting delays of more than two months.
- Agencies reported essential items like personal protective equipment (PPE), tarpaulins, winterization supplies, mobile kitchens, hygiene kits, food and educational materials being denied due to the "dual use" procedure – because Israel deemed there was potential for them to be utilised for military use.
Oxfam's Policy Lead, Bushra Khalidi, said: "Given the volume of aid now entering Gaza, it is clear how much Israel has been obstructing the humanitarian response for the last 15 months. As the survey shows, Israel completely failed to improve humanitarian conditions, in disregard of international law, while systematically preventing life-saving aid from getting in.
"It is vital to assess past failures, even amid a ceasefire. Without accountability and a commitment to protecting humanitarian operations, we risk repeating the same cycles of impunity and neglect, leaving millions without hope of a better future."
The survey is part of a humanitarian access snapshot, produced by NGOs, which examines Israel's compliance with the ICJ measure regarding the provision of humanitarian assistance. It found that the provision of essentials like food, water, fuel, shelter and sanitation in Gaza fell well below the minimum required to sustain life for Palestinians in Gaza, that Israeli policies and actions resulted in the dismantlement of the humanitarian architecture and operational environment in the Gaza Strip.
Dr Jean-François Corty, President of Médecins du Monde, said: "Now that aid is now getting into Gaza, the next weeks will be critical but challenging, given the level of destruction Israel has rained down upon Gaza and its near-total decimation of the humanitarian infrastructure and operational capacity."
The survey revealed the extremely challenging conditions aid workers in Gaza have faced, with Israel conducting systematic attacks on basic services and humanitarian infrastructure and personnel:
- 94 per cent of aid workers from the reporting organisations had been displaced at least once - many of them multiple times.
- 72 per cent of aid agencies surveyed report that their premises were damaged due to air or ground attacks by Israeli forces at least once since 26 January 2024, with many organisations reporting multiple attacks. At least 7 agencies' offices in Gaza city were heavily damaged or destroyed as well as several NGO run medical centres.
- 93 per cent of aid agencies surveyed had to forcibly relocate their operations at least once since the ICJ ruling, mainly due to Israeli displacement orders and military offensives. Almost all have had to relocate multiple times.
The snapshot also highlights the failure of Third States to fully meet their obligations to prevent atrocity crimes including the risk of genocide. It underscores that some states continue to supply weapons and support to the Government of Israel, while refraining from denouncing violations or taking meaningful action to prevent them.
The agencies are calling for continued, unhindered humanitarian access and for the international community to urgently address Israel's ongoing violations of international law.
Riham Jafari, Communication and advocacy coordinator at ActionAid, Occupied Palestinian Territories, said: "It is essential that humanitarian access is not only immediate but sustained and unimpeded. The rights of Palestinians in Gaza must be protected from acts of genocide, and Israel must be held to account for its continued violations of international law. Without meaningful accountability, the suffering will only deepen, and the path to justice and peace will remain blocked."
