Israel Increases Humanitarian Aid Transfers to Gaza

Latest Developments

Israel facilitated the transfer of 126 aid trucks to northern Gaza and the opening of two bakeries there, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced on April 16. The effort, led by Israel’s Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT), marks the latest move to increase humanitarian aid to the coastal enclave. “The passage of hundreds of trucks carrying food supplies and humanitarian aid has become a priority for COGAT. As such, in the past two days, 553 aid trucks passed through the Kerem Shalom and Nitzana crossing[s] following security checks,” The Jerusalem Post reported. The two bakeries, operating with aid from the World Food Programme, can produce 800,000 pieces of pita bread a day. They join a third bakery, opened on April 15, that can supply 650,000 pieces of pita bread a day.

Expert Analysis

“The increase in aid to Gaza, particularly to northern Gaza, is important to stabilize civilian life in Gaza and create conditions for further Israeli operations against Hamas. Hamas has sought to hijack aid trucks and control the distribution of aid, creating suffering and chaos to pressure Israel to end its war in Gaza. By increasing the movement of goods from southern Gaza to northern Gaza, and by opening a new crossing to northern Gaza, Israel is preparing the ground for increased operations against Hamas in Rafah and other areas.” — Seth J. Frantzman, FDD Adjunct Fellow

“Israel has faced significant international pressure to agree to a ceasefire for various reasons, one of which is the urgent need for increased humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip. Israel has alleviated some of this pressure by taking steps to boost aid to Gaza. This move should also undermine Hamas’s ability to publish propaganda accusing Israel of intentionally starving Palestinians — a baseless claim.” — Joe Truzman, Senior Research Analyst at FDD’s Long War Journal

Aid Increases as Waterline Repaired in Gaza’s Bani Suheila

Israel has increased humanitarian aid to Gaza over the last several days, said White House National Security Communications Coordinator John Kirby on April 15. “That’s important, but it has to be sustained,” he said. COGAT said that more than 450 trucks remain on the Gaza side of the Kerem Shalom crossing waiting to be moved and distributed across Gaza.

Additionally, Israel continues work to repair a waterline in the Bani Suheila neighborhood in southern Gaza, the IDF said on April 16. “The water pipeline is expected to open in the coming days and will increase water supply to approximately 400,000 people in the area,” the IDF noted. Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant announced the increase in aid and other efforts in Gaza on April 10. “We are increasing the scope of aid. We are facing big challenges in terms of securing and distributing aid,” Gallant told reporters. “This is the result of Hamas threats and also the issue of planning for the day after Hamas.”

Related Analysis

“Israel to Open New Aid Corridor Into Northern Gaza,” FDD Flash Brief

“Israel Disputes Report of Imminent Famine in Gaza,” FDD Flash Brief

“Israel Facilitates Humanitarian Aid to Gaza,” FDD Flash Brief