Israel rejected vast majority of Gaza aid shipment requests by NGOs since ceasefire

41 NGOs have raised the alarm over continued rejections of shipments of life-saving aid into Gaza by the Israeli authorities since the ceasefire was implemented on 10 October.

Organisations operating on the ground in Gaza, including Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) and Oxfam, said in a statement that between 10 and 21 October, 17 INGOs had urgent shipments of aid, including water, food tents and medical supplies, denied entry into the enclave.

 In almost all the cases, Israeli authorities cited the fact that the organisations were "not authorised" to deliver aid.

Israel's new restrictive registration process has precluded many organisations from operating in Gaza.

But the organisations said that Israeli authorities have refused access to agencies that continue to have long-standing INGO registration with Palestinian and Israeli authorities and are legally permitted to operate by the latter while new registration processes are ongoing. 

"Supplies are packaged, staff are equipped and ready to respond at scale. What we need now is access," the statement reads.

"Israeli authorities must uphold their obligations under international humanitarian law and the terms of the ceasefire agreement."

It said that aid rejected by the Israeli authorities includes tents and tarpaulins, blankets, mattresses, food and nutrition supplies, hygiene kits, sanitation materials, assistive devices and children’s clothing.