Humanitarian Access Snapshot - Gaza Strip | September 2024
HUMANITARIAN SITUATION: KEY FIGURES
General overview
Humanitarian access in Gaza remains severely constrained. In September 2024, less than half of all humanitarian movements inside Gaza coordinated with the Israeli authorities were facilitated without significant issues, and over a quarter of them faced impediments. Of the 667 coordinated movements, 138 were denied approval to move by Israeli forces. This includes the denial of 32 vital water, sanitation, and hygiene related movements and 16 health-related movements. Humanitarian movements to deliver 220,000 litres of fuel, essential to operate key facilities, such as bakeries and hospitals, were also denied. Seven of these fuel-related denials pertained to movements in the north, with a further 21 pertaining to movements across southern Gaza.
Access to the north of Gaza
Humanitarian access to northern Gaza, which the Israeli forces have cut off from the south, was significantly and consistently hindered throughout September. Of the 667 movements planned by humanitarian partners, 91 required passage through an Israeli checkpoint to move between south and north, or vice versa. However, only 8 per cent of those 91 movements were facilitated by Israeli forces, while a combined 84 per cent were either denied or impeded access. In total, 49 per cent of movements failed to achieve any of their objectives, either due to outright denial or, despite initial approval, being unable to pass through the checkpoint due to prolonged delays or other challenges, including technical ones related to the functioning of the checkpoint gate. Despite there being two checkpoints between north and south, only one is operated at a time by Israeli forces (currently the one on Al Rasheed road), resulting in long delays and blockages. When technical issues do occur, no alternative is provided.
During the week commencing 24 September, humanitarian partners and contractors across various teams and organizations were stranded in the north for a total of 13 nights, combined among all movements, unable to cross back to the south. This disrupted other essential activities, tying up scarce resources, such as personnel and vehicles, which could not be used for other purposes.
Humanitarian access to northern Gaza is crucial for partners winterization activities, as adverse weather conditions will significantly increase humanitarian needs. It is essential that humanitarian partners are able to reach the north for planning purposes as well as for transporting and distributing vital aid.