Washington, DC., 23 May 2025 ——
Humanitarian aid serves a singular purpose: to alleviate suffering and promote human dignity in times of crisis. However, in the complex arena of global politics, aid is increasingly being wielded not just as a tool of relief but as an instrument of power, influence, and coercion. The issue of humanitarian aid to Gaza has drawn sharp international attention. The Israeli government has been accused of the weaponization of aid to Gaza – restricting, conditioning, or manipulating the delivery of essential supplies as a weapon of war.
The weaponization of aid undermines the fundamental principles of neutrality, impartiality, and independence that underpin humanitarian action. When aid is used as a weapon, it jeopardizes the very notion of impartial humanitarianism and risks turning relief efforts into extensions of conflict. This practice violates international humanitarian law (IHL) and exacerbates an already dire situation for Gaza’s civilian population. Understanding these allegations requires a close look at the policies in place, the legal frameworks involved, and the humanitarian consequences on the ground.
What is the Weaponization of Aid?
The weaponization of aid refers to the use of humanitarian assistance as a strategic or political tool to influence outcomes in conflict zones, control populations, reward allies, or punish adversaries. Rather than being guided solely by need, the distribution and withholding of aid become mechanisms for achieving political or military objectives.
There have been many instances where countries have demonstrated how aid can be used as a weapon. During the Cold War, both the US and the Soviet Union distributed aid strategically to gain influence over developing nations. Rather than being based on need, assistance was often directed to allies who aligned ideologically or politically. During the civil war in Syria, the Assad regime diverted humanitarian supplies to loyalist areas and denied access to regions held by opposition forces, thereby using starvation and deprivation as tools of war. Similarly, in Yemen, conflicting parties have been reported to manipulate aid flows, either by blockading shipments or by siphoning resources, to strengthen their own positions or weaken their enemies.
Weaponization is manifested in several ways. Selective distribution: Aid is channeled only to politically favorable regions or groups. Conditionality: Assistance is provided on the condition that recipients conform to political or ideological demands. Obstruction and denial: Warring parties or governments block access to aid as a tactic of siege or suppression. Propaganda: Humanitarian aid is used to bolster legitimacy or sway public opinion, often in conflict with the truth on the ground. In such cases, aid transitions from being a humanitarian good to becoming a means of leverage, often at the expense of those who need it most.
Conflict and Humanitarian Need
Since the outbreak of war on October 7, 2023, following Hama’s attacks on southern Israel and Israel’s subsequent military response, the Gaza Strip has faced an unprecedented humanitarian crisis. The UN and numerous aid organizations have repeatedly warned that Gaza is on the brink of famine, with infrastructure decimated, hospitals overwhelmed, and basic necessities like food, water, and medicine in dangerously short supply.
Israel maintains that its blockade of Gaza and control over the flow of goods, including humanitarian aid, are necessary for security. But when did allowing food, clean water, and medicine to Palestinian civilians become an issue of Israeli security? The extent and manner of these restrictions amount to collective punishment. The restrictions are meant to cause harm, to cause death.
Mechanisms of Control
Israel exerts significant control over what aid enters Gaza through its border crossings, primarily Kerem Shalom and previously through Rafah in coordination with Egypt. Humanitarian organizations must coordinate with Israeli authorities, who inspect and often delay or deny shipments based on security classifications.
There are several tactics used by Israel that are seen as methods of weaponization. Delays and bureaucratic hurdles: Aid shipments have been delayed for days, weeks, even months, due to Israeli inspections, with perishable items sometimes spoiled before entry. Restrictions on specific goods: Items deemed as “dual-use” (those that could have both civilian and military applications, such as water pipes or fuel) are frequently barred, even if they are critical for civilian infrastructure. Selective access and ceasefire leverage: Access to aid has reportedly been used as a bargaining chip in negotiations with Hamas or to pressure civilian populations indirectly. Targeting of aid infrastructure: There have been instances where Israeli strikes have damaged warehouses, convoys, or aid distribution points, raising concerns about whether such actions are deliberate or reckless disregard.
International Law and Ethical Implications
Under the Geneva Conventions, all parties to a conflict are obligated to allow and facilitate the rapid and unimpeded passage of humanitarian relief for civilians in need. The deliberate obstruction of humanitarian aid may constitute a war crime under international law, particularly if it results in the starvation of civilians as a method of warfare.
Israeli policies have been criticized by UN agencies and numerous NGOs, including TGR, calling for greater accountability and independent investigations. Israel strongly rejects the accusation that it is weaponizing aid. Officials argue that their policies are intended to safeguard national security and prevent resources from being diverted to militant groups. Israel points out that it has allowed some aid into Gaza and has coordinated with international organizations under difficult wartime conditions. Nevertheless, leaked reports and testimonies from Israeli officials and soldiers, as well as humanitarian workers, have raised questions about the true intent and proportionality of the restrictions imposed.
To counter the weaponization of aid, several strategies are essential. Strengthening the independence of humanitarian organizations, ensuring that they are not beholden to political agendas. Enhancing transparency and accountability in aid distribution to prevent manipulation. Supporting local civil society to play a greater role in identifying and addressing needs on the ground. There should be international oversight to monitor and report abuse of humanitarian aid. Moreover, donor governments must recognize that leveraging aid for political gain can backfire, undermining global stability and exacerbating crises.
The Human Cost
For Gazans, the impact is devastating. The UN has warned of imminent famine, especially in northern Gaza, where access is most restricted. Children suffer from malnutrition, hospitals lack essential supplies, and displaced populations face disease and despair. Aid organizations operating in Gaza have stated that the restrictions are not just logistical challenges; they are matters of life and death.
The weaponization of humanitarian aid in Gaza is a deeply contentious issue, entangled in the broader political and military conflict. While Israel cites security imperatives, the humanitarian community warns of a catastrophe exacerbated by policies that appear to use civilian suffering as leverage. A sustainable resolution will require not only a ceasefire but also a fundamental reevaluation of how humanitarian principles are upheld in conflict zones, and whether those responsible for their breach will be held to account.
Aid is meant to save lives, not serve as a pawn in political games. While the realities of geopolitics cannot be ignored, the humanitarian imperative, to assist based on need alone, must remain at the heart of any aid effort. Recognizing and confronting the weaponization of aid is not only an ethical obligation but a practical necessity for a more just and effective global humanitarian system.
Photo Credit: Gaza in my heart (Shaima, 8 years old, waits her turn in the crowd to get a meal from a charitable hospice that distributes free food in the city of Rafah, Gaza, December 2023 @ UNICEF – UNI445569-Zagouti) by Wasfi Akab. Licensed under CC BY NC ND 2.0
Lara Kajs is the founder and executive director of The Genocide Report, an NGO nonprofit organization in Washington, DC. She is the author of Assad’s Syria, and Stories from Yemen: A Diary from the Field, available in e-book, paperback, and hardcover at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Apple Books, and independent bookstores worldwide. Distributed by Ingram. Ms. Kajs frequently speaks about atrocity crimes, forced displacement, and International Humanitarian Law (IHL). Follow and connect with Lara Kajs on Facebook, Instagram, X, LinkedIn, and Bluesky.