Israel’s government has deflected responsibility for the increasingly desperate humanitarian conditions in Gaza. In so doing, they accuse the United Nations’ main aid agency of colluding with Hamas to limit food rations. This announcement follows a summer full of heartbreaking tragedies. Years of a devastating siege had already left these vulnerable residents starving and suffering with severe acute malnutrition. The international community has their eyes glued on the situation. This presents critical questions about prioritization of aid and who bears responsibility.
Since March 2024, the conflict has escalated sharply. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu halted all aid to Gaza, attempting to force Hamas to accept terms for a ceasefire. In the wake of this decision, starvation and malnutrition exacted a steep price. To date, reports indicate that 127 people, including 85 children, have died as the result of this tragedy. Amidst a rapidly escalating humanitarian crisis, U.S. Israel has said that aid is being provided, but it’s not getting to people because of inefficiencies within the UN.
Israel’s Allegations Against the UN
Israeli officials have long alleged that the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) has worked hand-in-hand with Hamas. This partnership, they allege, is preventing food from reaching the citizens of Gaza. They claim aid is “rotting in the sun,” a direct jab at the UN’s lack of capacity to administer resources efficiently. David Mencer, a communications director for Aid to Israel, claimed that the UN is guilty of “cutting aid to its own citizens.”
Despite these claims, an independent review conducted in April 2024 found no evidence supporting Israel’s assertions regarding UNRWA’s involvement with terrorist organizations. These findings have already led several international organizations to demand more clarity on these issues. Fletcher, a representative from a leading humanitarian organization, emphasized the need for transparency:
“I expect the Israeli authorities to immediately share any evidence that led them to make such claims.” – Fletcher
Race and politics have made the situation tense. Israel’s Ambassador Danny Danon used the UN to display unverified accusations, asserting that UNRWA employees had worked with Hamas. Yet, these accusations have been roundly dismissed from both left and right with questions about their truthfulness and partisanship.
The Impact of the Siege on Civilians
Moreover, the blockade imposed by Israel has decimated food access in Gaza. Reports indicate that Israel’s military has burned or buried approximately 1,000 trucks’ worth of aid deemed spoiled or expired, exacerbating the already critical situation. The Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories remarked that “there is no famine in the Gaza Strip,” yet this claim contrasts sharply with the realities faced by many residents who struggle daily for basic sustenance.
It’s not the first time that the Israeli military’s unfettered actions have had catastrophic consequences. Since May, at least 1,200 people have perished en route to food distribution sites. The emergency has largely broken down civil society infrastructure in Gaza. Now desperate crowds are overloading food convoys that barely meet the need. This confusion makes clear the dire need to fix distribution of humanitarian aid and get it to the people who most need it.
Blame Game and Humanitarian Consequences
Despite his inadequacies, Israel is still trying to blame the UN and Hamas for these failures in aid distribution. Yet we can’t ignore the humanitarian impact of these ordinances. Gaza has reached a catastrophic tipping point. Starvation and malnutrition are widespread, leading to unnecessary deaths and suffering. The arguments posited by Israeli officials around the inefficiencies of aid bring to light the greater question of accountability and responsibility in this highly contentious conflict.
While the international community shrugs its shoulders, Israel continues to claim that areas of Gaza are experiencing “aspects of food insecurity.” Although officials claim they are not purposefully blocking aid, when aid fails, they point to either UN incompetence or Hamas obstructions. The current humanitarian crisis reinforces the urgent imperative of a unified national and international response to mitigate suffering and re-establish critical public services.
