As international anxiety over Gaza’s humanitarian crisis intensifies, Israel has announced its willingness to offer United Nations Security Guarantees that could facilitate humanitarian aid delivery — amid increasing scrutiny over access restrictions and growing regional tensions.
On Thursday, Israeli Government Spokesperson Eylon Levy addressed reporters and announced Israel is ready to work closely with the UN and its affiliated agencies in ensuring safe passage for aid convoys into war-ravaged Gaza enclave. Levy added, “if the UN requires security to perform their job effectively, Israel stands ready to provide it. We are not blocking aid; rather we are blocking weapons reaching terrorists.”
This announcement follows weeks of tensions between Israel and various United Nations bodies, many of whom have accused its military of hampering aid efforts in Gaza, where widespread displacement and infrastructure collapse has left millions needing food, medicine and clean water assistance.
Levy stated that Israel Defense Forces (IDF) had created “safe corridors” for aid delivery through Kerem Shalom and Erez crossings, and had assisted hundreds of deliveries there. Levy asserted: “Hamas must not abuse this humanitarian assistance for political gain.”
UN officials have described the situation on the ground as increasingly dire. UNRWA recently warned of its supplies dwindling while aid convoys often face long delays, frequent inspections, and unsafe conditions inside Gaza. Last week, Antonio Guterres demanded “unimpeded humanitarian access” while imploring all parties involved to respect international law.
While Israel’s offer has been met with cautious support by some in the diplomatic community, some remain wary of its implementation. A senior UN humanitarian coordinator on condition of anonymity remarked: “Security assurances are welcome but must lead to real, sustained access.” Currently aid workers face enormous risks; that must change.
The United States, Israel’s closest ally, has also advocated for improved access. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller indicated this desire when he stated Washington expects Israel to honor its obligations by facilitating aid delivery while continuing to address legitimate security threats.
Human rights organisations have also called on Israel and Hamas to allow unhindered humanitarian relief. Amnesty International issued a statement Thursday demanding that “civilians not be used as hostages to achieve political or military ends”, calling for an immediate ceasefire allowing full scale humanitarian intervention.
Israeli forces and Hamas fighters have engaged in deadly clashes in recent months, with deadly consequences for civilians. While the Israeli military claims it is targeting weapons caches and tunnel networks, reports from local sources indicate widespread damage to residential areas, hospitals, and schools.
Observers suggest Israel’s new pledge may be an attempt to deflect growing international criticism, particularly as several European nations and global NGOs have accused it of exacerbating humanitarian suffering through excessive use of force and administrative delays.
Still, for many in Gaza the focus remains on survival. “Security is welcome but what we really need are food, medicine and electricity,” stated one resident of Rafah when speaking via telephone with a journalist from Jerusalem.
As the crisis unfolds, all eyes are now focused on whether Israel’s offer will bring tangible improvements on the ground — or remain, as some critics fear, merely as an empty diplomatic gesture with limited practical ramifications.