ICSPR: The Israeli Occupation Procrastinates in Implementing the Humanitarian Protocol and Evades Its Commitments
Date: February 6, 2025
Original Language: Arabic
Press Release
ICSPR: The Israeli Occupation Procrastinates in Implementing the Humanitarian Protocol and Evades Its Commitments
The International Commission to Support Palestinian Rights (ICSPR) is deeply concerned about the continued evasion by the Israeli occupation authorities of their commitments under the humanitarian protocol signed as part of the ceasefire agreement, depriving the residents of Gaza of essential relief and shelter.
Despite 20 days passing since the ceasefire was announced, the Israeli occupation continues to delay the entry of humanitarian, relief, and shelter aid needed by the Palestinian people in Gaza. As of the time of this statement’s preparation, there has been no tangible improvement in the humanitarian situation in the Strip, particularly in northern Gaza, where the crisis remains catastrophic. While there has been an increase in the number of trucks entering the Strip, most are loaded with non-essential goods that fail to meet urgent needs, which have worsened due to the current stormy weather conditions.
According to the agreement, 600 trucks were supposed to enter daily. However, the total number of trucks that have entered since the ceasefire took effect has not exceeded 8,500, of which only 35% reached northern Gaza—covering less than half of the daily needs. Additionally, more than 545,000 Palestinians have returned from southern Gaza to the north over the past week.
At the same time, the occupation continues to stall the entry of fuel and heavy machinery needed for debris removal and persistently obstructs the entry of critical medical equipment required by hospitals facing a severe collapse in medical services. Despite the urgent need to bring in construction materials and solar energy supplies for reconstruction and rehabilitation, only four small pieces of equipment have been allowed to rehabilitate the Rafah Crossing, while estimates indicate a need for over 100 heavy and diverse machines to clear rubble, retrieve bodies, and open roads. Additionally, only 14 trucks of fuel and gas are allowed to enter daily, whereas the actual need is 30 trucks per day to sustain emergency services.
Regarding housing and shelter, the suffering of displaced residents persists. No temporary housing aid has entered so far, even though the agreement stipulates the entry of 60,000 caravans and 200,000 tents to accommodate those who lost their homes. So far, only 9,500 tents have been delivered, most of which are low-quality, representing just 8% of the emergency need.
It is important to highlight that Gaza is considered a humanitarian disaster zone, where the basic necessities of life are absent due to the massive destruction caused by the Israeli war, which has resulted in the martyrdom of over 61,709 Palestinians. Initial estimates indicate direct material losses exceeding $50 billion USD.
The International Commission to Support Palestinian Rights (ICSPR) holds the Israeli occupation and its partner, the U.S. administration, fully responsible for the dire consequences of failing to uphold their commitments. The commission calls for the following actions:
• All guarantors of the agreement must fulfill their responsibilities by exerting effective pressure on the occupation authorities to ensure the unconditional implementation of the agreement’s provisions and to meet the population’s needs without delay.
• Urgent and immediate action is needed to provide shelter for displaced persons who lost their homes due to the aggression. ICSPR calls on international and UN relief organizations to take swift action to provide heavy equipment, construction materials, medical supplies, and cash liquidity to resolve the banking crisis in Gaza.
End.
