Israel’s Foreign Ministry has rejected a joint statement issued by a group of countries led by the United Kingdom regarding the situation in Gaza on Tuesday.
The ministry described the statement as "false but unsurprising," accusing it of overlooking the need to disarm Hamas, which Israel sees as crucial for regional security.
The ministry pointed out that the statement ignored the improvement in the humanitarian situation in Gaza since the ceasefire began. Israel stated that this progress was achieved through its efforts, in coordination with the United States, despite attempts by Hamas to redirect humanitarian aid for terrorist purposes.
Israel also noted that while the US and Israel are working together on a plan to dismantle Hamas, other countries involved in the statement have not provided constructive support. Israel emphasized its commitment to continuing its actions alongside the US to address the security concerns in the region.
Additionally, COGAT (Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories) issued a statement clarifying the registration requirements for international organizations sending aid to Gaza, following allegations by Doctors Without Borders (MSF).
COGAT stated that MSF failed to cooperate with the registration process and refused to provide Israel’s Ministry of Diaspora Affairs with a list of its employees, as required by a government decision.
“The organization’s attempts to attribute to itself a central impact on the medical response in the Gaza Strip are inconsistent with reality and are not supported by data. In practice, out of approximately 220 primary care clinics and medical points operating throughout the Gaza Strip, the organization operates only five,” said COGAT.
COGAT explained that organizations that received notice regarding the suspension of their activities in Gaza did not bring aid into Gaza throughout the current ceasefire, and even in the past, their combined contribution amounted to only about 1% of the total aid volume.
Accordingly, the implementation of the government decision will not result in any future harm to the volume of humanitarian aid entering the Gaza Strip.
The registration process, emphasized COGAT, is intended to prevent the exploitation of aid by Hamas, which in the past operated under the cover of certain international aid organizations, knowingly or unknowingly.
“Instead of launching false campaigns and attempting to intimidate the international arena regarding the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip, organizations seeking to operate in Gaza should complete the registration process, operate transparently, and ensure that aid reaches the civilian population and not Hamas,” said COGAT.
UK, Canada, France, and others express concern over Gaza's humanitarian crisis
Additionally, Britain, Canada, France, and others said that the humanitarian situation in Gaza has worsened again and is of serious concern in a joint statement on Tuesday that also called on Israel to take urgent action.
The statement, published online by the British Foreign Office, said Israel should allow non-governmental organizations to work in Israel in a sustained and predictable way, and ensure the UN could continue its work in the Palestinian enclave.
"(We) express serious concerns about the renewed deterioration of the humanitarian situation in Gaza, which remains catastrophic," read the statement from the foreign ministers of Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Iceland, Japan, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.
It also said Israel should lift what it called "unreasonable restrictions" on certain imports, including medical and shelter equipment, and open border crossings to increase the flow of humanitarian aid into Gaza.
Israel and Hamas agreed to a ceasefire in October after two years of intense Israeli bombardment and military operations in Gaza that followed a deadly attack by Hamas-led fighters on Israeli communities in October 2023.
A global hunger monitor said on December 19 that there was no longer famine in Gaza after access for humanitarian and commercial food deliveries improved following the ceasefire.
But humanitarian agencies say far more aid needs to get into the small, crowded territory and that Israel is blocking needed items from entering. Israel says more than enough food gets in and that the problems are with distribution within Gaza.