AMMAN: Oxfam accused Israel of intentionally preventing the delivery of aid, including food and medical equipment, which is a clear violation of international humanitarian law.
The organization said in a report that Israel continued to “systematically and deliberately block and undermine any meaningful international humanitarian response” in the Palestinian territory.
Oxfam said that “unjustifiably inefficient” inspection rules were causing aid trucks trying to get into Gaza to be stuck in queues for 20 days on average.
The group also denounced “attacks on aid workers, humanitarian facilities and aid convoys” and “access restrictions” for relief staff, particularly to northern Gaza.
It also said that Israeli authorities arbitrarily reject “dual-use” items — civilian goods that also have potential military use such as backup generators and torches.
It recalled that water bags and water testing kits in an Oxfam shipment were rejected with no reason provided before later being permitted entry.
The occupat
ion forces control the flow of aid, which is still completely insufficient given the enormous needs of the Strip’s population of 2.4 million people, the vast majority of whom are at risk of famine, according to Oxfam.
Source: Palestine News and Information Agency – WAFA