UN rejects Israeli-US Gaza aid plan, says it threatens civilians

The United Nations and aid groups operating in Gaza have refused to cooperate with a proposed Israeli-US mechanism for delivering humanitarian assistance, saying it violates core humanitarian principles, Axios reported.

In a joint statement issued on Sunday, UN agencies and NGOs said the plan “contravenes fundamental humanitarian principles and appears designed to reinforce control over life-sustaining items as a pressure tactic — as part of a military strategy.”

“It is dangerous, driving civilians into militarised zones to collect rations, threatening lives, including those of humanitarian workers, while further entrenching forced displacement,” they added.

Aid officials said Israel’s plan would dismantle the existing UN-run system and replace it with one controlled by the Israeli military.

“The UN Secretary-General and the Emergency Relief Coordinator have made clear that we will not participate in any scheme that does not adhere to the global humanitarian principles of humanity, impartiality, independence and neutrality,” the statement read.

Israel has blocked food, water, and medicine from entering Gaza since it abanodned the ceasefire in early March. UN agencies warn supplies will run out within days.