Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz has reaffirmed that the country will continue to block humanitarian aid from entering the Gaza Strip, where intense aerial and ground operations have resumed amid a worsening humanitarian emergency.
“Israel’s policy is clear: no humanitarian aid will enter Gaza,” Katz stated, emphasizing that the blockade is intended to prevent Hamas from leveraging the aid for its own purposes. “Blocking this aid remains one of our main pressure tools,” he added, noting that there are currently no plans or preparations to facilitate the delivery of assistance.
The announcement comes as the United Nations warns that the humanitarian conditions in Gaza are at their worst since the conflict began in October 2023. According to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), no aid has reached Gaza since March 2, resulting in severe shortages of food, water, fuel, and medical supplies.
“The humanitarian situation is now likely the worst it has been in the 18 months since the outbreak of hostilities,” OCHA reported. The agency highlighted that the closure of border crossings and restrictions within Gaza have forced aid workers to ration dwindling supplies, further limiting relief operations.
Israel intensified its military campaign in Gaza following the collapse of a ceasefire agreement initially implemented on January 19. The truce fell apart two months later due to disagreements over subsequent steps, leading to renewed violence and the displacement of hundreds of thousands of Palestinians.
With the humanitarian crisis escalating, international agencies have raised alarm over the urgent need for aid access. However, Israel continues to exert tight control over border crossings and the entry of international aid to the 2.4 million people living in Gaza.
