Gaza/Jerusalem, August 14, 2025: More than 100 humanitarian organisations, including Oxfam and Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), have signed a joint letter urging Israel to end what they describe as the “weaponisation of aid” into Gaza, warning that starvation is worsening amid tighter restrictions.
The groups say Israeli authorities are increasingly denying them authorisation to deliver lifesaving supplies unless they comply with stricter regulations introduced in March. These rules allow Israel to reject aid groups’ registration if they are deemed to “delegitimise” the state or fail to provide detailed information on Palestinian staff.
According to the letter, most major international NGOs have been unable to deliver a single truck of aid since 2 March, with more than 60 requests denied in July alone. The restrictions have left hospitals without essential supplies, and children, the elderly, and people with disabilities dying from hunger and preventable illnesses.
Sean Carroll, CEO of American Near East Refugee Aid (Anera), said $7 million worth of aid, including 744 tons of rice for six million meals, is blocked in the Israeli port of Ashdod, just kilometres from Gaza.
Israel denies imposing restrictions, saying the rules ensure aid reaches civilians and not Hamas. The Israeli military body Cogat says nearly 20 registered organisations are delivering aid, with around 300 trucks entering Gaza daily, although the UN estimates 600 are needed.
Oxfam’s Bushra Khalidi warned that Israel has blocked over $2.5 million worth of goods and that the new registration process threatens aid groups’ independence. MSF’s Chris Lockyear called the Israel and US-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation a “death trap” and accused Israel of using food as a weapon.
The warnings come as Israel intensifies its bombardment of Gaza City ahead of a planned takeover. According to the Hamas-run health ministry, Israel’s ongoing offensive has killed nearly 62,000 Palestinians since 2023, in addition to 235 deaths from starvation and malnutrition.
