Israel Eases Gaza Aid Blockade, Sparking Fierce Debate

Wednesday, 21 May 2025 | After a two-month blockade, Israel has cautiously reopened the flow of humanitarian aid into Gaza, allowing a limited number of trucks carrying food and supplies through the Kerem Shalom border crossing. The decision, driven by a mix of international pressure and strategic calculations comes with stringent conditions aimed at preventing Hamas from diverting the aid for use in its war with Israel. The move has prompted debate between those who see it as too little and others claiming it’s a risky concession, while Hamas may view it as an indication of Israel’s faltering resolve. 

According to Israeli officials, dozens of trucks carrying aid entered Gaza on Monday, loaded with critical supplies like baby food, to be followed by hundreds more over the coming days. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has pledged to deliver 2,000 tons of urgent aid, including food and medicine. The IDF Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT), Maj.-Gen. Ghassan Alian emphasized that every truck faces rigorous security checks to ensure nothing reaches Hamas fighters. 

The aid recommencement follows a near-total blockade that began March 2, after Hamas rejected a US–proposed ceasefire extension, that halted shipments of food, water, medicine and fuel to Gaza. International aid groups have painted a grim picture of food shortages and overwhelmed hospitals treating people with malnutrition. Clean water has reportedly become scarce after Israel cut power to desalination plants. 

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s decision to allow limited aid came as the result of heavy pressure from allies, particularly the United States, where images of famine in Gaza published in the media stirred alarm among lawmakers. American senators pushed hard for Israel to act before the humanitarian crisis in Gaza spiralled out of control. Prime Minister Netanyahu framed the move as a tactical necessity to avoid a starvation catastrophe that could undermine Israel’s latest military push, “Operation Gideon’s Chariots”, which aims to dislodge Hamas’s grip on Gaza.  

The decision has ignited controversy in Israel. Religious Zionist Party MK, Moshe Solomon argued that the aid often becomes a lifeline for Hamas, though he conceded limited deliveries could be justified if they strictly reached civilians. National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir spoke more bluntly, slamming the move as a “grave error.” Prime Minister Netanyahu’s team admitted there is no foolproof way to stop Hamas from intercepting some supplies, which has fueled more skepticism among hardliners. 

A new US-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), set to launch by late May, aims to overhaul aid delivery, bypassing Hamas with secure sites in southern Gaza overseen by the IDF. Until the GHF is ready, Israel is allowing groups like the UN World Food Programme to deliver aid under strict IDF supervision. 

Internationally, reactions have varied. The United Nations (UN) welcomed the resumption of aid, with a hundred trucks being approved for Tuesday, a sharp rise from Monday, while adding it is “a drop in the ocean” compared to their assessment of the needs in Gaza. The UAE’s foreign ministry praised the cooperation with Israel and the US, noting that their 2,000-ton shipment would be made up of goods directed toward the sick, elderly and wounded. Dr. Sarah Al-Khawaja of Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) said “The current aid deliveries are a fraction of what’s needed—barely 10% of the minimum requirements for food and medical supplies—and the military’s control over distribution points severely restricts our ability to reach those in need impartially.” 

Israel’s broader strategy includes intensified military operations as well as diplomatic maneuvering. The IDF’s renewed ground offensive has expanded, with five divisions now active in Gaza. Meanwhile, negotiators in Doha push for a deal to free hostages in exchange for a ceasefire and other concessions. Israel’s tightrope walk remains fraught with challenges, as every truck into Gaza carries not just aid but the weight of unresolved conflict.