GAZA, (PIC)
United Nations agencies have issued serious warnings about the use of humanitarian aid in Gaza as a tool of coercion to pressure civilians into forced displacement, amid Israel’s ongoing siege, military campaign, and deepening humanitarian catastrophe.
UNICEF spokesperson James Elder stated Friday that Israel’s proposed aid plan to the humanitarian community is “structured in a way that will increase the suffering of children and families,” describing it as a violation of core humanitarian principles. He particularly condemned the use of facial recognition technology as a condition for receiving aid, calling it deeply troubling.
Elder noted that “only bombs are entering Gaza”, while everything essential to keep a child alive has been blocked. He called this situation a reflection of a “deep moral collapse,” warning that the world would ultimately pay the price for such indifference.
He also emphasized that the proposed Israeli plan excludes the most vulnerable, especially those unable to reach the so-called “safe zones” in military-controlled areas, placing families at grave risk of being caught in the crossfire. Using aid to pressure civilians to move from northern to southern Gaza, he warned, presents an impossible choice: displacement or death.
According to Elder, the plan allows only 60 aid trucks per day—a mere 10% of what was permitted during the brief ceasefire—an amount that is grossly inadequate for the needs of over 2 million people, half of whom are children.
He expressed strong concern over the use of biometric surveillance for intelligence or military purposes, asserting that such measures violate all humanitarian norms. The clear alternative, he stressed, is to end the blockade, allow aid in, and save lives.
“Nowhere is safe”
Juliette Touma, Director of Communications at UNRWA, warned that “death follows Gaza’s civilians wherever they go — there is no safe place.” She described the situation as a systematic stripping of human dignity, as atrocities continue to be broadcast live to a silent international community.
She reported that hunger is spreading across the Strip, and that long lines for food have disappeared simply because no food is left. Even UN staff inside Gaza are losing weight, she added, due to the severe food shortages.
Touma stressed that UNRWA cannot be replaced, highlighting the organization’s 10,000+ staff in Gaza who continue to risk their lives to deliver aid and run shelter centers. She also revealed that over 3,000 UNRWA aid trucks remain stuck outside Gaza, warning that those supplies could be lost if crossings are not urgently reopened.
WHO: Main Problem is Aid Entry Ban, Not Diversion
Dr. Margaret Harris, spokesperson for the World Health Organization, clarified that WHO has found no evidence of aid diversion inside Gaza. The core issue, she stressed, is that aid is being blocked from entering in the first place.
Medical supplies are running out rapidly, she said, as casualties mount and living conditions worsen. Over 10,500 patients in Gaza, including 4,000 children, urgently need medical evacuation — yet since March 18, only 122 patients have been allowed to leave.
