UN Secretary-General António Guterres has warned that Israel’s military operations are “creating massive obstacles to the distribution of humanitarian assistance” in Gaza. Current aid access is only around 10% of what is needed, according to UN assessments. This deliberate obstruction of humanitarian relief further endangers the over 2 million civilians living in Gaza, the majority of whom are in urgent need of food, water, and medical assistance. This has to stop.

The Dutch Relief Alliance is appalled by the Israeli plan to militarise and further weaponize humanitarian aid in Gaza. Israel’s plan for aid delivery is premised on forced displacement of the civilian population into fenced-in containment zones that amount to internment conditions, excluding civilians who remain outside those zones, with a focus on goods, excluding any basic services such as health care. Furthermore, this model for distribution sidelines aid organizations, and violates humanitarian principles. This has been underlined by the UN, which has therefore decided not to participate in Israel’s proposed aid distribution modality in order not to advance further Israeli control over aid delivery.

This is not a humanitarian plan, this is a political instrumentalisation of aid that is in violation of international humanitarian law and in complete contradiction with humanitarian principles of neutrality, impartiality, and independence. These principles are foundational to the effective and ethical delivery of life-saving assistance in any conflict zone.

Moreover, Israel’s new NGO re-registration requirements are in conflict with Israel’s obligations under international humanitarian law to facilitate independent humanitarian assistance and include criteria open to arbitrary rejection considerations. This procedure is aimed at silencing aid actors who report on violations they witness as part of their mandate.

Allowing a state party to the conflict, particularly one engaged in active hostilities, to fully control aid undermines trust and endangers humanitarian personnel and civilians. The protection of civilians and humanitarian workers is not optional; it is a binding obligation under international humanitarian law. Ensuring their safety is essential for any credible relief operation.

Acceptance of such an aid system would set a dangerous precedent that would undermine trust in humanitarian action, erase humanitarian spaces, and endanger civilians and humanitarian aid workers worldwide. This type of interference would make it impossible to deliver aid independent of military and political motivations.

It is fundamental for the Dutch Relief Alliance that aid should be delivered in an independent and neutral manner to those who need it the most and where they need it the most. The Dutch Relief Alliance calls on the Dutch government and the international community to act with utmost urgency to end the blockade, protect civilians, and ensure immediate principled humanitarian access to Gaza and the entire occupied Palestinian Territories to deliver relief at scale.

The Dutch Relief Alliance Joint Response in Gaza aims to provide urgent humanitarian assistance, protect vulnerable communities, alleviate the burden of food insecurity, restore essential healthcare services, and address the severe mental health and psycho-social challenges facing those affected by the crisis. Led by War Child, with partner organisations including CARE, Oxfam Novib, Save the Children, Plan International, and Terre des Hommes, the initiative focuses on WASH services, healthcare, food security, multi-purpose cash assistance, and protection.

Spokesperson DRA JR for Gaza: Juliette Verhoeven

E: juliette.verhoeven@savethechildren.nl

N: 06 40931544