Israel has declared that it will resume operations at a vital passage into Gaza and enhance aid support via another crossing and a harbour, following a stern warning from US President, Joe Biden. Biden made it clear that continued US backing for Israel hinges on Israel taking decisive steps to shield civilians and aid staff. While this move is a positive step, it raises the question of how much effect it will have on the lives of Palestinians in Gaza, particularly considering the current humanitarian crisis that has resulted from a war that has, at this point, taken approximately 33,000 lives.
The proxy organisations that deal with humanitarian aid have been adamant for a time that the most pragmatic channel to introduce much-needed aid into Gaza, a place where the residents are confronting severe famine, is through land channels. Before the onset of the war instigated by an attack from Hamas on October 7th of the previous year, which caused the death of 1,200 individuals according to data provided by Israel, up to 500 truckloads of aid crossed into Gaza on a daily basis.
A statement from the World Food Programme in the past month indicated that to address the basic necessities in Gaza, a minimum of 300 trucks should be allowed into the territory each day. Although Jordan, the US, and other nations have been utilising airdrops to provide aid support, and World Central Kitchen – despite incurring the loss of seven workers to Israeli conflict this week – has been engaged in the dissemination of supplies, the level of aid they have managed to provide falls far short of what is required.
The announcement from the Israeli administration on Thursday night specified the channels that will be reopened for aid provisions. According to the statement, Israel “will permit the temporary provision of humanitarian aid via Ashdod and Erez crossing and will augment Jordanian aid via Kerem Shalom”.
Kerem Shalom, based in the southern region of Israel, features a well-facilitated truck crossing. Erez, located in northern Gaza, is the primary terminal for incoming passengers from Israel. Ashdod port emerges as the most considerable route. Given its operational capabilities as well as the inspection facilities, the port of Ashdod, situated approximately 40 km north of Gaza, could be the most direct and nearest conduit for the massive influx of humanitarian aid.
Despite Israeli authorities alleging the impracticality of using the Erez crossing due to the damage incurred on October 7th, the truth remains that Israeli military force has availed the usage of makeshift crossings constructed at locations where the IDF dismantled parts of the border fencing from the commencement of the ground assault last year.
The passage to Erez provides a swift connection to the tarmac roads of Gaza, primarily the principal north-south route, offering a critical channel to the most in need area: the northern section of Gaza, where severe famine is affecting tens of thousands, attempting to survive on a mere 250 calories daily.
Would it have been possible for Israel to act sooner in this regard?
For an extended period, Israeli authorities have maintained that sufficient aid had been reaching Gaza, even in the face of constant allegations from the UN and various aid and humanitarian organisations stating that they were deliberately impeding the delivery of supplies.
Israel’s proclamation on Thursday, which came after the US issued a warning that its support was reliant on immediate actions being taken to aid Gaza’s civilian population, underpins the reality that Israel could have taken this decision earlier but choose not to.
The decision made by the Israeli cabinet came after foreign ministry representatives cautioned that unless the humanitarian aid was increased, Israel would face international penalties, potentially even an arms ban, stating that they had received “unequivocal signals” from their counterparts in the US and Europe that Israel would face unparalleled sanctions if aid was not immediately enhanced.
What possible delays could be encountered?
Israel stands accused of delaying security inspections for lorries, already lining up for entrance into Gaza, a tactic that may proceed, regardless, the warning from Washington is unequivocal. As White House spokesperson, John Kirby, stated on Thursday, “In the forthcoming hours and days, we will be scrutinising for concrete, verifiable actions that they’re implementing.”
Biden’s own words were remarkably explicit in implying that Israel will be under strict observation for tangible compliance.
A summary of Biden’s phone call with Israel’s premier, Binyamin Netanyahu, revealed that the president conveyed the necessity for Israel to announce and execute a number of specific, concrete and quantifiable actions to address civilian harm, humanitarian suffering and the security of aid workers. The summary from the White House supplemented: “He clarified that US policy in relation to Gaza will be influenced by our evaluation of Israel’s immediate execution of these actions.”
How will the aid be distributed?
International aid agencies are already in operation within Gaza and have the capacity to deploy additional staff. Unrwa, the prominent UN agency for Palestinian refugees, employs thousands of workers within Gaza and would be the most suitable candidate for involvement, although Israel has obstructed it from dispersing aid in northern Gaza.
The Biden administration has previously hinted that issues related to theft and looting of convoys could be resolved by inundating Gaza with aid, significantly reducing the sense of despair.
Despite Israeli insistence for its dismantlement, the Unrwa remains vital for Palestinians.
Does this hint towards an approaching cessation of conflict?
There has been clear expression of dissatisfaction from key international powers including the US, UN, UK and other nations over the disconcertingly high count of Palestinian non-combatant casualties due to Israel’s operation. Biden’s emphasis on the requirement to reduce harm to civilians and safeguard humanitarian aid workers suggest that Israel is less likely to proceed with the hostilities accepting the current level of civilian casualties.
Though Israel has conveyed that enhanced aid accessibility would enable the ongoing warfare, the US has unequivocally stated its objection to the proposed plans for an offensive on Rafah, a southern Gaza city providing refuge to over a million individuals. This includes Israel’s ‘unlikely’ plans to evacuate non-combatants before initiating an attack.
This impliedly points towards a diminishing scope for Israeli actions of the intensity seen in the past six months. This could potentially lead to a subsequent reduction in violent incidents. – Guardian