The humanitarian crisis in Gaza has intensified amid a two-month blockade imposed by Israel, where food security experts warn that one in five residents faces the risk of starvation.
On May 28, 2025, tensions escalated between Israel and the United Nations over the distribution of aid to Gaza. Israel accused the UN of obstructing efforts to deliver aid, claiming it was actively trying to block humanitarian assistance.
"While the UN spreads panic and makes declarations detached from reality, the state of Israel is steadily facilitating the entry of aid into Gaza," Israel's UN Ambassador Danny Danon told the United Nations Security Council. He noted that aid trucks have been authorized to cross into Gaza through the Kerem Shalom crossing since last week as part of a limited relief effort.
Ambassador Danon referred to a newly established distribution system managed by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), a US-backed private aid organization. However, the UN cautioned against cooperating with GHF, asserting that its distribution methods do not align with established humanitarian principles. A chaotic aid distribution event at a GHF center recently resulted in 47 injuries, with Israel attributing the disorder to Hamas setting up blockades and checkpoints to restrict access.
Danon further accused the UN of applying "threats, intimidation and retaliation" against NGOs that participate in the GHF's distribution mechanism and claimed that the UN had removed certain NGOs from its Gaza operations database, an allegation dismissed by UN spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric. Dujarric confirmed that the current NGO listings remain unchanged and underscored the UN's firm stance of not engaging in aid operations that contravene its humanitarian standards.
Regarding the volume of aid, Israel has approved the entry of approximately 800 truckloads since the previous week, but fewer than 500 have successfully reached Gaza, according to the UN. Security concerns and access limitations have constrained the UN and its partners from collecting more than 200 truckloads. "If we're not able to pick up those goods, it is not for lack of trying," Dujarric added.
In response, Ambassador Danon asserted, "More than 400 trucks full of aid are already on the Gaza side of the crossing, Israel has provided safe routes for distribution, but the UN did not show up. Put your ego aside, pick up the aid and do your job."
The backdrop to this dispute is the devastating impact of Israeli military operations following Hamas's attack on October 7, 2023, which killed over 1,200 people. The offensive has killed an estimated 54,804 people in Gaza, mainly civilians, and left much of the territory devastated, including hospitals, schools, and essential infrastructure. Nearly the entire population of two million has been displaced, further complicating humanitarian efforts.
The United Nations continues to emphasize the urgency of delivering aid while upholding humanitarian principles, seeking cooperation amid complex political and security challenges.
