Survey reveals Israel’s systematic obstruction of aid into Gaza

A year after the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ordered Israel to protect Palestinians in Gaza from acts of genocide and irreparable harm, a new survey has exposed the worsening humanitarian crisis in the enclave.

Conducted by 35 aid agencies, including Oxfam, Médecins du Monde, ActionAid, and the Norwegian Refugee Council, the survey revealed a systematic obstruction of aid and escalating suffering, condemning Israel’s failure to comply with international legal obligations. 

According to the findings, nearly 90 per cent of aid organisations reported that Israel’s actions to facilitate the provision of aid had worsened since the ICJ ruling in January 2024.

The humanitarian situation for people relying on aid has significantly deteriorated, with all surveyed organisations attempting to import supplies describing Israel’s procedures as either ineffective, systematically obstructive, or grossly insufficient to meet Gaza’’s immense needs.

‘Israel decimated humanitarian aid’

Groups said that delays of more than two months in the delivery of essential items, including hygiene kits, food, and personal protective equipment, have become routine. Many of these items were denied entry under Israel’s “dual-use” designation, which broadly categorises materials as potentially usable for military purposes. 

The conditions faced by humanitarian workers are no less dire. The survey revealed that 94 per cent of aid workers had been displaced at least once, with many forced to relocate multiple times.

Offices and facilities of humanitarian organisations have also suffered extensive damage, with nearly three-quarters reporting attacks on their premises, including medical centres and NGO offices in Gaza City.

Dr. Jean-François Corty, president of Médecins du Monde, described the operational environment as a near-total collapse of Gaza’s humanitarian infrastructure.

He said: “Now that aid is finally getting into Gaza, the next weeks will be critical but challenging, given the destruction Israel has rained down and the decimation of its humanitarian capacity.”

The survey also condemned those governments which continue to supply weapons to Israel and provide diplomatic support.

Oxfam’s policy lead, Bushra Khalidi, called for the need for systemic accountability to break the cycle of neglect and violence.

“Israel has completely failed to improve humanitarian conditions, disregarding international law and systematically preventing life-saving aid from getting in,” Khalidi said.

Without accountability and a commitment to protecting humanitarian operations, we risk repeating the same cycles of impunity and neglect,” Khalidi added. 

Humanitarian agencies have called for immediate, unimpeded, and sustained access to aid in Gaza.

“The rights of Palestinians in Gaza must be protected from acts of genocide, and Israel must be held accountable for its continued violations of international law,” Riham Jafari, advocacy coordinator for ActionAid in the occupied Palestinian Territories said.

“Without meaningful accountability, the suffering will only deepen, and the path to justice and peace will remain blocked.”