Israel Proposes Gaza Aid Hubs, Groups Fear Displacement/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Aid organizations and the U.N. warn that Israeli proposals to control humanitarian aid in Gaza could lead to forced displacement of Palestinians and violate international law. Israel insists it must oversee aid to prevent Hamas diversion, but groups fear the plan prioritizes military goals over humanitarian needs. Most agencies say they will refuse to participate in any system giving Israel or private contractors direct control.
Gaza Aid Control Proposal Quick Looks:
- Israel has blocked aid to Gaza for two months.
- It proposes a military-supervised distribution system with five central hubs.
- Aid groups fear forced displacement and violations of international law.
- Humanitarian leaders say proposal prioritizes security over needs.
- Israel cites concerns that Hamas diverts aid — but has no public evidence.
- Private U.S. security firm involved in possible pilot project.
- EU, UN, and U.S. aid groups oppose direct Israeli control.
- Proposed rules would let Israel ban critics from aid roles.
Deep Look: Aid Groups Say Israeli Gaza Aid Plan Could Forcibly Displace Civilians
TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) – Humanitarian groups and the United Nations are raising serious concerns over Israeli proposals to control the distribution of aid in Gaza, warning the plan could forcibly displace civilians and violate international humanitarian law.
Since March, Israel has blocked food, fuel, water, and medicine from entering Gaza, saying it won’t lift the blockade until it can directly manage how and where that aid is distributed.
“Israel has the responsibility to facilitate our work, not weaponize it,” said Jens Laerke, spokesperson for the U.N. humanitarian coordination office.
What Israel Proposes
Documents obtained by The Associated Press — over 40 pages of internal notes — reveal that Israel is proposing:
- Five centralized aid distribution hubs in southern Gaza
- All aid to enter via one crossing
- Military or private contractors to deliver and manage aid
- Oversight allowing Israel to screen aid workers and recipients
The plan, if enacted, would force Gaza residents to travel long distances for food and supplies, potentially causing mass internal displacement. That would breach the Fourth Geneva Convention, which prohibits forcible transfer of civilians under occupation.
Aid Groups Say No
Major aid organizations, including Doctors Without Borders, the Norwegian Refugee Council, and Oxfam, have refused to participate in any Israeli-controlled system.
“The humanitarian community is ready to deliver,” Laerke said. “Either our work is enabled, or Israel bears the legal consequences if they fail to meet needs.”
An internal letter signed by 20 humanitarian groups warns that the plan would leave civilians interned in camps, unable to freely access aid or rebuild.
Safety Concerns and Crowding Risks
Under Israel’s proposed five-hub model, millions of civilians would be forced to converge on a handful of distribution points, creating dangerous conditions.
“I am very scared about that,” said Claire Nicolet of Doctors Without Borders, referencing previous incidents where Israeli troops fired into crowds during aid delivery, resulting in deaths and stampedes.
Global aid standards suggest Gaza should have 100+ aid sites, not five.
Israel’s Justification and Unmet Needs
Israel claims Hamas steals aid, though it has not provided evidence. Experts say Israel wants to prevent aid from being used by Hamas for recruitment and control.
But critics note that Gaza’s needs are complex — beyond food, it requires health care, infrastructure repair, clean water, and shelter.
“Humanitarian aid is not just boxes of rice,” said Gavin Kelleher, former NRC worker in Gaza. “It’s systems. It’s health. It’s fuel. It’s dignity.”
Private Contractors and Militarization of Aid
In lieu of military-led distribution, Israel is also considering outsourcing aid delivery to private security firms.
One such company, Safe Reach Solutions, reportedly contacted NGOs about pilot testing a system around the Netzarim military corridor. Humanitarian leaders swiftly rejected the idea, warning it would erode humanitarian neutrality and intimidate civilians.
“That should worry every single Palestinian in Gaza, but also every humanitarian worker,” said Bushra Khalidi, policy lead at Oxfam.
Humanitarian Principles vs Political Vetting
Further complicating matters, aid groups say Israel wants to vet aid organizations, demanding staff identities and reserving the right to ban groups that criticize Israel or are seen to “delegitimize” it.
“The intention of sanctuary is to ensure aid is delivered without bias or fear,” said Meghna Philip of Legal Aid Society. “This threatens that completely.”
The European Union and U.S. State Department have declined to back any Israeli plan involving private contractors or selective aid access.
Rising Barriers to Access
Some aid workers who previously had clearance to enter Gaza are now being denied. Among them is Arwa Damon, founder of INARA, who was blocked from Gaza in February after making four previous humanitarian trips.
Aid leaders say a system that filters who can provide aid based on political alignment crosses a red line.
What’s at Stake
With 2.1 million people in Gaza facing starvation and medical collapse, the humanitarian community says time is running out.
“This isn’t just about distribution,” said one U.N. official. “It’s about whether international law and impartiality survive this war.”
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