"Israel continues its campaign of ethnic cleansing in Gaza"

The joint proposal by the US and Israeli authorities to regulate food distribution under the guise of humanitarian aid raises serious humanitarian, ethical, security, and legal concerns, warns the international medical organization Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF). Making aid conditional on forced displacement and population control is another tool in a campaign of ethnic cleansing currently underway against Palestinians.

MSF categorically rejects any plan that further hinders access to humanitarian aid and subjects it to the objectives of the Israeli military occupation.

We are witnessing, in real time, the establishment of conditions aimed at the eradication of the Palestinian population in Gaza, declares MSF.

The obstruction of humanitarian aid constitutes a direct violation of UN Security Council Resolution 2720, which calls for the unhindered delivery of humanitarian aid to civilians. Allegations of aid diversion by Hamas have so far been unverifiable and in no way justify the implementation of such measures. As the occupying power, Israel has an obligation to ensure the delivery of impartial humanitarian aid to the population in need.

The UN, European Union member states and all actors with influence over Israel must urgently use their political and economic power to end the instrumentalisation of aid.

Humanitarian supplies, food, fuel and medicines must reach the people of Gaza without delay.

Since the resumption of Israeli attacks and the imposition of a total blockade on humanitarian aid on March 2, Gaza has become a living hell for Palestinians. Their survival now depends entirely on the Israeli authorities, who deny the population access to food, water, medical care, and shelter. Israel continues its campaign of ethnic cleansing by deliberately destroying the conditions necessary for life.

Organizations such as World Central Kitchen and the World Food Programme (WFP) have reported that they have run out of food reserves in Gaza, with most community kitchens and bakeries forced to close. MSF medical teams on the ground have noted an alarming 32 percent increase in malnutrition cases over the past two weeks.

Dwindling fuel stocks are severely limiting desalination and water distribution capacity. The remaining operational health facilities—already insufficient in number and capacity to meet the population’s needs—continue to be attacked and are suffering from a rapid decline in their stocks of essential medicines and supplies. MSF teams in Gaza have not received any supplies for 11 weeks and are facing a critical shortage of vital medical supplies, such as sterile gauze and sterile gloves.

Evacuation orders and no-go military zones imposed by Israel now cover 70% of Gaza.

People are being forcibly displaced from one place to another, with no area immune to attacks. The situation is so dire that MSF teams have had to treat patients and send them back, only to have them return with new injuries.

Israel's plan to instrumentalize humanitarian aid is a cynical response to the humanitarian crisis it has created. If Israel and its allies so desired, they could lift the blockade today and allow humanitarian aid to reach all those in Gaza who depend on it for their survival.