Israel risking being left holding bag for getting aid to Gazans, US warns

Israel risks being left without any partners to provide and deliver humanitarian assistance to Gaza after last night’s IDF strikes on a convoy belonging to the World Central Kitchen aid group in central Gaza, a US official tells The Times of Israel.

“People aren’t exactly lining up to do this work, and they just took out one of the few groups that has volunteered,” the US official says, speaking on condition of anonymity.

“They don’t want UNRWA involved? Fine. But they have to be… sure that the rest of the humanitarian workers are protected.”

“If [WCK] doesn’t come back, and other groups follow suit, the onus is going to fall on Israel to provide aid to the Palestinians,” the US official continues, citing international law.

“To not have proper de-confliction mechanisms put in place six months into the war is inexcusable,” the official says.

“The IDF is talking about improving communications between the Southern Command and COGAT. How is this mechanism only being put in place now?” the US official angrily asks, warning that the strike could have implications for continued fighting in Gaza as well as the hostage negotiations.