Recent developments in Gaza have drawn considerable attention as satellite images indicate the emergence of construction sites aimed at potentially serving as aid distribution centers. This comes amid rising tensions and severe humanitarian concerns stemming from Israel’s restrictions on aid deliveries, further complicated by a controversial plan relating to humanitarian assistance that has drawn criticism from global entities.
In March, the Israeli government halted the delivery of food and medical supplies into Gaza to intensify pressure on Hamas, demanding the release of their remaining hostages. This move has faced widespread condemnation from various international voices, including officials from the United Nations, Europe, and the Middle East. Israel’s authorities assert claims that Hamas has been siphoning off humanitarian aid, a position that Hamas categorically rejects. The situation has been dire, with the UN reporting acute shortages of food, medication, and fuel in Gaza. Urgent assessments have noted that the population, approximating 2.1 million, is at an imminent risk of famine.
Adding complexity to the situation, the United States recently announced preparations for a new system intended to facilitate aid distribution from multiple hubs established inside Gaza. These efforts are purportedly to be managed by private companies with security protections presumably provided by Israeli military forces. Reports and images analyzed by BBC Verify reveal that ground has been recently cleared, with new roads and staging areas emerging in various southern and central regions of Gaza.
According to the humanitarians briefed by Israeli officials, at least four distribution centers are proposed for the southern section of Gaza and one more in northern Gaza, adjacent to the Netzarim Corridor, a military-controlled area. The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation initially indicated that their resources would reach approximately 1.2 million individuals, which is notably less than 60% of the population. Recently, they expressed intentions to commence operation before the close of May, underscoring the need for immediate access to standard aid routes alongside the fulfillment of their new center’s operationalization.
However, this plan has faced significant resistance from UN agencies, which have firmly refused to collaborate, labeling the initiative as contradictory to essential humanitarian principles. A spokesperson for the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) charged that Israel is leveraging food and fuel within a structured military strategy. Commenting on this matter, a representative emphasized that the approach would systematically deny access to major parts of Gaza, leaving the most vulnerable groups, who lack mobility or are otherwise isolated, bereft of assistance.
Critics, including Bushra Khalidi from Oxfam, have described the proposed plan as a “farce,” emphasizing that logistical solutions will never rectify what they identify as Israel’s systematic tactics aimed at displacing populations and weaponizing starvation. The call for the lifting of the siege and normalization of aid channels has grown louder amid these alarming developments.
Moving on to the logistics behind these distribution sites, BBC Verify employed satellite imagery to identify potential sites closely mirroring existing aid distribution locations. Notably, a large construction area, fitted with defensive barriers, has been traced back to a location in southwestern Gaza. A recent image taken on May 8 revealed ongoing work, indicative of a significant expansion aimed at facilitating aid distribution.
Discussions with senior analysts propose these sites may serve as secure hubs closely monitored by the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF), aligning with a broader strategy to maintain control over aid processes. Despite requests for comments on the centers from the IDF, the organization maintained a position that their operations in Gaza adhere to international law.
Amid all this, the Morag Corridor—the recently defined Israeli military zone—serves as a structural and strategic influence in this context, establishing a six-mile roadway permeated with IDF installations and heightened security measures. This area has witnessed extensive land clearance, tied into the broader implications of aid distribution as it pertains to international law and obligations.
Overall, the situation remains precarious as various stakeholders grapple with humanitarian needs amidst an ongoing military and political standoff, as well as clear deficits in transparency concerning aid distribution methodologies and their ramifications for the beleaguered population of Gaza.