End Israel's weaponisation of Gaza aid, 100 groups say
A coalition of 100 human rights groups across 20 countries have called for an end to Israel's weaponisation of aid in Gaza, in a letter issued Monday. The letter, addressed to Israeli authorities, United Nations agencies, and donor countries, urged them to ensure that humanitarian and civil engineering organisations are able to deliver humanitarian assistance without hindrance or abuse. The groups also called on donor countries to ensure that their funding does not support violations of Palestinian human rights.
What is the weaponisation of aid?
The weaponisation of aid refers to the deliberate misuse of humanitarian assistance as a tool of war. This can include blocking or delaying the delivery of life-saving aid as a means of exerting pressure or punishment. Jonathan Cristall, a humanitarian aid expert, argues that Israel's bombing of Gaza's civilian infrastructure and border closures are a form of warfare that deprives Palestinians of essential goods and medical care, and aims to coerce them into submission.
The groups' demands
- Ensure unimpeded and unconditional access to deliver humanitarian and civil engineering assistance to all parts of Palestine, especially the blockaded Gaza Strip
- Guarantee funds for humanitarian and civil society organisations operating in Palestine, without imposing political conditions
- Ensure independent and effective monitoring and accountability of the conduct of Israeli forces, Border Police, and settlers, during humanitarian aid operations
- End the misuse of humanitarian and development aid to further military, police, or settler goals
