Human Rights Watch lawyer highlights misuse of aid in Gaza

Gaza has been witnessing a complex humanitarian crisis exacerbated by the ongoing conflict involving Israeli forces and various Palestinian groups. Milena Ansari, a Palestinian lawyer affiliated with Human Rights Watch, has raised concerns regarding how military technologies, such as drones, are being deployed in the region. These advancements have reportedly led to violations of international law, particularly in the context of military targeting methods employed by Israeli forces. The use of drones in warfare has become increasingly prevalent, with documented cases indicating their utility in conflicts, including the ongoing situation between Russia and Ukraine. Such technologies are now part of the military's operational framework in Gaza, as noted by Ansari, who highlighted various programs like ‘Where’s Daddy?’ and ‘Lavender,’ which are detrimental to civilian safety and humanitarian efforts. In this milieu, the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation has emerged, operating under controversial circumstances. This foundation has been described by Ansari as a body that militarizes aid distribution through private contractors. This militarization leads to questions about the integrity and fairness of the aid process, raising doubts about the access and dignity of those who are supposed to benefit from humanitarian efforts in Gaza. The conversation around aid distribution becomes particularly tense when allegations arise from Israeli officials about Hamas and other groups misappropriating humanitarian aid, allegations that Ansari disputes, calling them unsubstantiated and lacking clear evidence. The problem is compounded by the interaction, or lack thereof, between Israel and the United Nations. According to Ansari, Israel operates unilaterally, having previously chosen to halt collaboration with UNRWA, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East. Ansari firmly contends that Israel has obligations under international law to facilitate aid and cooperate with international bodies, regardless of its own stance toward those entities. The involvement of various actors complicates the distribution of humanitarian assistance, where military operations and alleged looting have fostered conditions that hinder effective aid delivery, escalating the challenges faced by civilians caught in the conflict.