4 Dead in Gaza and the Occupation Tightens the Noose on Relief Organizations, Threatening to Halt Their Operations

The number of martyrs in the Gaza Strip has risen to four citizens as a result of attacks carried out by Israeli occupation forces in various areas of the Strip. These field developments come at a time when the suffering of thousands of displaced families facing heavy rains inside tents is increasing with the arrival of the holy month of Ramadan, amid a severe lack of heating and shelter necessities.

Field sources reported the martyrdom of a Palestinian as a result of being directly targeted by Israeli drone fire in the Qizan Abu Rashwan area, south of Khan Yunis city. Another raid targeted civilian gatherings inside Al-Mahatta Park on Yafa Street in Al-Tuffah neighborhood, east of Gaza City, resulting in the martyrdom of two and the injury of four others with varying degrees of wounds.

In a related context, the Israeli occupation army announced that it had killed a Palestinian in the southern region of the Strip, claiming that forces from the 'Golani' Brigade spotted a person who crossed what is called the 'Yellow Line'. The military statement claimed that the forces opened fire on him with the aim of 'neutralizing' him and removing what it described as a threat, which falls within the series of continuous violations of the ceasefire agreement.

Statistics indicate that the continuous violations by the occupation since the signing of last October's agreement have led to the martyrdom of about 460 Palestinians so far. These attacks coincide with an unprecedented tightening of restrictions on relief work, with the looming threat of 37 international non-governmental organizations ceasing to provide their vital services to the besieged population.

Humanitarian organizations face Israeli conditions described by field workers as unjust, with the deadline for their stay ending early next month. Observers warn that the departure of these delegations will be another nail in the coffin of humanitarian work, leaving a large void in the health, water, and food sectors that will be difficult to compensate for under the current circumstances.

Occupation authorities obstruct the entry of about 600 relief trucks daily, limiting the ability of international institutions to respond to increasing needs. International staff describe these measures as an attempt to turn the lives of Gazans into hell, especially since these organizations provide one-third of the basic services related to shelter and healthcare.

Among the organizations threatened with cessation are 'Oxfam', concerned with the water and sanitation sector, and the Norwegian Refugee Council, which provides shelter for the displaced. The crisis also includes 'Doctors Without Borders', which provides critical medical services in various shelter camps, threatening the collapse of what remains of the humanitarian support system.

International organizations reject Israeli demands to submit detailed lists of staff personal data and political affiliations as a condition for renewing work permits. These entities consider that succumbing to these dictates strikes at the heart of the principle of neutrality and allows the occupation to control the type of medicines and medical supplies allowed into the Strip.

In a dangerous development, the World Central Kitchen announced its intention to cease operations in the coming days. This decision comes as a result of the severe field obstacles imposed by the occupation, which have sharply reduced the organization's operational capacity, preventing it from performing its tasks of feeding the hungry.

Sources in the World Central Kitchen revealed that the number of trucks allocated for the entry of its food supplies has decreased from 25 trucks daily to only 5 trucks. This deliberate reduction has deprived thousands of families of their daily meals, exacerbating the risk of famine amid the lack of local alternatives and the destruction of food production infrastructure.

The humanitarian scene in the Gaza Strip remains suspended between the hammer of daily shelling and the anvil of the relief siege, which tightens day by day. With the deadline for renewing permits approaching, Palestinians anxiously await the fate of aid, which represents their only lifeline in the systematic starvation war practiced by the occupation.

Compliance with Israel's request to hand over staff data and political affiliations undermines the principles of neutrality and independence and constitutes a clear encroachment on humanitarian work.