Today marks one month since the launch of the “Gaza Humanitarian Foundation” (GHF), a US-Israel militarized distribution scheme, where 516 people* have been killed trying to reach distribution sites.
ActionAid is appalled by the continued devastation caused by this operation, which has transformed what should be humanitarian relief into a death trap for the people of Gaza. This scheme is totally unacceptable and violates the core humanitarian principles of impartiality, neutrality, and independence.
The Nuseirat branch of Al-Awda Hospital is just kilometers from one of these distribution points. Israeli soldiers have been opening fire on Palestinians who are trying to access food, and the hospital has continued to receive a constant flow of casualties.
Dr Mohammed Salha, Acting Director of Al-Awda Hospital, said:
“Every day we have been receiving injured people and martyrs from what’s called ‘the humanitarian area’ where humanitarian aid is distributed. It’s not a humanitarian aid distribution area; it’s the area where people are killed. It’s a trap for people, to be killed, to die there.”
The Israeli authorities must uphold international humanitarian law and ensure the safe, unhindered flow of life-saving aid into Gaza. Militarized zones, run by armed contractors, are no substitute for a functioning humanitarian system.
Riham Jafari, Advocacy and Communications Coordinator at ActionAid Palestine, said:
“Whilst the world’s gaze shifts toward the escalating conflict between the US, Israel, and Iran, Gaza is being forgotten. People in desperate need of food are walking long distances and forced to enter heavily militarized zones where they are met with violence. This is not a humanitarian operation. This is a death trap. The people of Gaza need aid, not crossfire.”
ActionAid demands a full withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza and a permanent end to the war, now.
ENDS
For media requests, please email christal.james@actionaid.org or call 7046659743.
About ActionAid
ActionAid is a global federation working with more than 41 million people living in more than 71 countries, including some of the world’s poorest countries. We want to see a just, fair, and sustainable world in which everybody enjoys the right to a life of dignity and freedom from poverty and oppression. We work to achieve social justice and gender equality and to eradicate poverty, including by shifting power to local organizations and movements.