Israel has come under increasing international criticism after it was revealed it has been arming and supporting armed groups in Gaza in order to interfere with humanitarian aid operations and/or suppress witnesses to war crimes committed there.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu recently confirmed that Israel has collaborated with Palestinian clans that oppose Hamas in Gaza, specifically Yasser Abu Shabab’s Anti-Terror Service group in southern Gaza. Reports indicate this group received Kalashnikov rifles confiscated from Hamas with tacit approval of both IDF and government. aljazeera.com +4; AAPnews +3 and The Guardian +4. [palestinechronicle.com +4].
Critics claim that these armed groups have been involved in looting humanitarian aid and attacking aid convoys, aggravating Gaza’s humanitarian crisis. Both the UN and various humanitarian organizations have expressed serious concern at an increase in civilian casualties as well as destruction to essential infrastructure, according to this Guardian piece on en.wikipedia.org +4.
The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), an American and Israeli-funded aid distribution organization in Gaza, has faced severe obstacles in its operations. Distribution efforts have been hindered by attacks on aid convoys and looting by armed groups; and internal struggles include some partners pulling support after criticism of its approach to aid distribution. https://en.wikipedia.org +4
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The international community has expressed serious alarm at the worsening situation in Gaza. The UN and various humanitarian organizations have called for unrestricted humanitarian access and an immediate ceasefire to ease civilian suffering; however, efforts at passing a UN Security Council resolution demanding such action were blocked by Israel’s main ally the US.
As the fighting in Gaza rages on, increasing involvement by armed groups in undermining aid efforts has raised grave safety concerns for humanitarian workers as well as hindering delivery of essential assistance to civilians in need. With every passing day, international pressure mounts for intervention to facilitate provision of humanitarian assistance to those most in need.