Israel Falls Short of Pledged Aid to Gaza, Data Shows

Israel has fallen short of its commitments to allow humanitarian aid and goods into the Gaza Strip over the past eight months, according to data tracked by the U.S. coordination center in Kiryat Gat. The figures, obtained by Haaretz and based on information from the Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT), which is approved by the UN, mark the first time since the October ceasefire that Israeli-provided data indicates a failure to meet its own obligations. The ceasefire agreement stipulated that 4,200 trucks of aid and goods (600 daily) should enter Gaza weekly, averaging about 18,200 trucks per month. While January and February saw large quantities of goods entering, most subsequent months delivered only about half or fewer of the agreed-upon truckloads. For example, March saw approximately 4,700 trucks, April around 5,300, and May over 9,600. June saw over 12,000 trucks, July and August around 10,000, and September a high of over 13,000. October saw a sharp decline to just over 6,500 trucks, and November, not yet halfway through, has seen close to 4,000 trucks.

COGAT has stopped publishing comprehensive data on aid trucks entering Gaza since the ceasefire, instead releasing partial information. The data also reveals that the majority of goods entering Gaza are produced in Israel, with nearly 49,000 trucks of Israeli-purchased aid entering since March. Aid from Egypt accounted for over 13,500 trucks, maritime corridors via Cyprus and Ashdod port over 7,000, Jordan around 3,500, and the West Bank over 2,300. Food constitutes the bulk of this cargo, estimated by economist Arnon Khuri-Yafain to be 70-80% of the total weight, as Gaza's population is now entirely dependent on external food sources due to the destruction of local production facilities by the IDF.

Despite sufficient food supplies, Gaza faces severe shortages of other essential items like medical equipment and shelter materials due to Israeli restrictions, which are labeled "dual-use" by Israel, citing potential military use by Hamas. Some of these items are only permitted entry one day a week after special inspection, leading to a lack of improvement in living conditions. Humanitarian organizations are struggling to repair water and sewage systems or improve shelters, contributing to recent flooding of tens of thousands of tents due to inadequate drainage and pump equipment. Israel has also intermittently banned aid organizations, such as the Egyptian Red Crescent, from entering Gaza, citing alleged smuggling attempts, like the seizure of tobacco products from their trucks, significantly impacting aid flow.

COGAT responded that the provided data is inaccurate, asserting that it fulfills its humanitarian commitments based on population needs and the capacities of the UN, international organizations, and donor countries.