As the Israel-Hamas war enters its ninth month, the delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza has become a high-stakes operation fraught with danger and complexity. The 679th Yiftah Armored Brigade of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) finds itself at the center of this critical mission, operating in the Netzarim Corridor of central Gaza.
As reported by the Times of Israel and AP, Lt. Col. (Res.) Dan Doron, the brigade's 56-year-old combat manager, oversees this delicate operation from a rear command post in Urim, just 10 kilometers from the Gaza border. "Protecting the humanitarian aid and the humanitarian routes is the oxygen hose for Israel to continue carrying out its mission," Doron explained, emphasizing the dual challenge of maintaining military objectives while facilitating aid delivery.
Daily, dozens of aid trucks pass through the brigade's sector from the Kerem Shalom Crossing, destined for northern Gaza. Each driver is personally vetted by the IDF and Unit 504, the military's human intelligence arm. However, the journey is perilous. Doron reports witnessing convoys being raided once they reach northern Gaza, though it's unclear whether by Hamas or local gangs.
The risk extends to the IDF troops themselves. "The humanitarian route can very easily become a terror attack," Doron warned, citing the constant threat of weapons smuggling and infiltration attempts. Hamas regularly targets the convoys with mortar fire, adding another layer of danger to the operation.
Recent developments have further complicated the aid effort. Egypt has refused to allow aid through its Rafah Border Crossing since Israel took control of the Gaza side in early May. Meanwhile, a much-touted U.S. Army-built pier on Gaza's coast, constructed at a cost of $200 million, has underperformed, operating for only 10 days before suspending operations for repairs.
The United Nations has now taken the extraordinary step of warning Israel that it may suspend aid operations across Gaza unless urgent measures are taken to protect humanitarian workers. This ultimatum follows several incidents, including an April attack that killed seven World Central Kitchen workers.
Despite these challenges, there are glimmers of hope. A recent U.N.- backed study found that while the food insecurity situation in Gaza remains catastrophic, the predicted famine has not materialized. The study attributes this to an unexpected increase in food supplies to Gaza in recent months.
However, the situation remains precarious. Just yesterday (Tuesday) the IDF reported that Hamas militants again fired a projectile at a UNICEF humanitarian aid convoy attempting to reunite children from northern Gaza with their families in the south. While no aid workers or soldiers were injured in this attack, it serves as a stark reminder of the constant danger.
As the conflict continues with no end in sight, the thin lifeline of humanitarian aid, threading its way through a landscape of destruction and danger, remains extremely important in preventing widespread hunger in Gaza.