Israel on Friday reduced the number of aid trucks it allowed into Gaza after the ceasefire collapsed, the Israeli government coordination office in the territories (COGAT) told Axios.
In spite of the United States expressing the expectation for continued humanitarian aid and fuel flow into Gaza post the temporary ceasefire, Israel has restricted the amount of aid following accusations of Hamas violating the ceasefire. COGAT, citing Hamas’ breach, limited aid entry, with only a few dozen trucks entering southern Gaza on Friday, excluding northern Gaza. Hamas attributes the failure to extend the ceasefire talks to Israel. COGAT claims the aid was permitted at the request of the Biden administration and underwent security inspections. The U.S. urges Israel to resume higher aid levels. However, even during the pause, aid groups deemed the increased aid insufficient, and limiting it further is criticized for worsening the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, according to the Palestine Red Crescent Society.
The big picture: The move comes despite the U.S. making clear in recent days that it expected the increased levels of humanitarian aid and fuel entering Gaza during the pause in fighting to continue even when the temporary ceasefire ended. Israel on Friday reduced
- It also comes as aid groups warn the resumed fighting will deepen the humanitarian crisis in the enclave.
Driving the news: As part of the ceasefire agreement, Israel allowed a significant increase in the number of trucks carrying humanitarian aid — about 200 per day — into Gaza. It also allowed more fuel to cross into the enclave.
- But in blaming Hamas for violating the ceasefire, COGAT said it was limiting the amount of aid allowed in. On Friday, only several dozen humanitarian aid trucks entered southern Gaza. Those trucks were not allowed to go to northern Gaza as some did during the pause. No fuel was allowed in at all.
- Hamas has blamed Israel for the collapse in talks to extend the pause in fighting.
- A spokesperson for COGAT said the trucks were allowed into Gaza on Friday “at the request of the Biden administration and at the approval of the Israeli government.” It stressed that all the trucks went through a security inspection in Israel before entering Gaza.
What they’re saying: White House National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby told reporters on Friday that the U.S. is urging Israel to resume allowing aid into Gaza at the higher levels it did during the pause.
Zoom in: Even during the pause, the UN and other aid groups said the increased amount of aid allowed into the Strip wasn’t enough to address the growing needs.
- The decision to limit the aid “exacerbates the suffering of citizens and increases the challenges facing humanitarian and relief organizations in alleviating the hardships of citizens and displaced persons due to the ongoing aggression on the Gaza Strip,” the Palestine Red Crescent Society said on social media.