Over 100 aid organizations have jointly called on Israel to halt what they describe as the “weaponization” of humanitarian aid in Gaza and the occupied West Bank. They warn that new Israeli regulations will obstruct critical relief efforts and replace independent humanitarian groups with those aligned with Israeli political and military interests — an accusation Israel has denied.
Meanwhile, hospital reports on Thursday revealed more civilian deaths from Israeli airstrikes and rising fatalities linked to malnutrition. The deepening humanitarian crisis and restrictions on aid delivery have contributed to growing international momentum for recognizing Palestinian statehood.
On the same day, Israel moved forward with plans to expand settlements in a sensitive part of the occupied West Bank, with a far-right minister saying the aim was to “bury the idea of a Palestinian state.”
Aid Groups Condemn New Restrictions
Organizations such as Oxfam, Doctors Without Borders, and CARE issued a strong statement opposing Israeli registration rules introduced in March. The rules require aid groups to submit detailed information about their donors and Palestinian staff for vetting — something they argue puts staff at risk and provides Israel broad authority to block assistance from groups it deems politically unfavorable.
According to the organizations, many have been unable to deliver even a single truckload of aid since the tightened blockade in March. Their support is meant to complement efforts by the UN, foreign government airdrops, and the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation — a new contractor backed by Israel and the U.S. that has taken the lead in aid distribution since May.
However, the total amount of aid reaching Gaza still falls well short of previous levels delivered by UN agencies and humanitarian groups.
While some aid efforts have resumed, the number of trucks allowed in remains far below the needs of the population, according to the UN and NGOs.
COGAT, the Israeli military agency overseeing aid to Gaza, denied the allegations. In a statement, it said delays only occur when groups “refuse to comply with basic security checks designed to prevent Hamas involvement.”
Israel has also insisted on providing military escorts for aid convoys — a demand largely rejected by UN agencies due to concerns over neutrality. This has led to competing narratives: Israel says it allows aid under strict rules, while humanitarian organizations report critical supplies are stuck at border crossings.
UN spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric said U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff met with UN officials to discuss urgently scaling up humanitarian access to Gaza.
Death Toll from Airstrikes and Starvation Continues to Climb
Israeli airstrikes on Thursday hit Gaza City, which Israel recently labeled a Hamas stronghold. Shifa Hospital reported one death and three injuries from one strike, while Al-Ahli Hospital said five more were killed in a separate attack.
These latest casualties add to the heavy toll since the conflict began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas-led militants attacked Israel, killing around 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages.
Israel’s retaliatory campaign has killed over 61,700 Palestinians, according to the Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry, which notes that around half of the victims were women and children. The ministry, though part of the Hamas government, is staffed by medical professionals and is widely considered a reliable source for casualty figures. Israel disputes the numbers but has not released an alternative count.
On Thursday, the ministry also confirmed four new malnutrition-related deaths, bringing the total to 239, including 106 children.
Controversial Settlement Expansion Threatens Two-State Prospects
In a separate development, Israel’s far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich announced plans to expand settlements in the occupied West Bank. The construction of 3,500 new housing units in the E1 area near Jerusalem is seen as a direct threat to the possibility of a contiguous Palestinian state.
Smotrich declared the move would “bury the idea of a Palestinian state,” adding that any international recognition of Palestine would be met with “answers on the ground.”
Though the E1 settlement project has been stalled for decades under international pressure, it is now expected to gain final approval next week.
Rights organizations quickly condemned the decision. Peace Now warned it would be “devastating for both Israel’s future and any hope of a peaceful two-state solution.”
Italy Evacuates More Wounded Palestinians
As global concern over Gaza's humanitarian crisis grows, Italy on Wednesday evacuated 114 more Palestinians from the region, including 31 children in urgent need of medical care.
Italy’s foreign ministry said the children were suffering from severe injuries, amputations, or life-threatening congenital conditions. The country has now evacuated over 900 Palestinians, many through a family reunification program.