Israel Restricts Gaza Aid, Worsens Humanitarian Crisis

At the Rafah crossing into the Gaza Strip, hundreds of aid trucks remain stuck in the Egyptian desert for days, with only limited supplies allowed through by Israel despite a worsening humanitarian crisis. UN experts warn that famine is unfolding in Gaza after nearly two years of war, accompanied by severe shortages of clean water, medicines, and life-saving equipment. Aid groups report that Israel continues to deny entry to critical medical supplies, shelters, and water infrastructure parts, often citing concerns over "dual-use" items or minor packaging issues, even when shipments have prior UN and Israeli approval. Specific examples include a truckload of intensive care gurneys held back because one pallet was plastic instead of wood and other shipments rejected for packaging imperfections. The UN human rights office has criticized Israel for permitting only insufficient aid quantities, warning this policy risks widespread starvation. Israel's COGAT agency asserts it invests considerable efforts in facilitating aid distribution, but the ongoing restrictions severely limit the flow of essential humanitarian aid into Gaza.