SAEDNEWS: As the death toll in Gaza mounts, Western nations — traditionally staunch backers of Israel — have issued rare and forceful condemnations over Tel Aviv’s policy of severely restricting humanitarian aid.
According to Saed News, with the rising number of casualties in the Gaza Strip, officials from the Palestinian Ministry of Health have announced that at least 1,000 people have died merely in the attempt to access humanitarian aid. Meanwhile, Western countries have harshly condemned Israel’s policy of limited and "drip-fed" aid deliveries.
According to Saed News citing CNN, the humanitarian situation in Gaza has deteriorated to such an extent that even Western governments — which usually stand by Israel — have been compelled to criticize Tel Aviv’s actions. Reports indicate that over 1,000 Palestinians have died not on the battlefield but while standing in line for flour, water, and medicine.
In recent months, particularly after increased international pressure to end the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, Israel has allowed the entry of humanitarian aid — but not in any significant volume. Instead, it has used a so-called "drip-feed" approach. This method, which involves limited and tightly controlled aid shipments, has led to heightened competition, chaos, and, consequently, more human casualties.
The United Nations, the Red Cross, and many international organizations have repeatedly warned that the current level of aid is inadequate. Now, with thousands of Palestinians dying from hunger, disease, and desperate attempts to access assistance, these warnings have materialized.
Countries such as France, Germany, Canada, and even the United Kingdom — long-time defenders of Tel Aviv on the international stage — have this time voiced unusually strong criticisms of Israel’s aid policy. France’s Foreign Ministry issued a statement declaring: “The limited and controlled delivery of aid not only fails to alleviate the crisis but essentially perpetuates the humanitarian disaster.”
While the United States has so far only implicitly questioned Israeli policy, domestic pressure on the Biden administration for a clearer stance continues to mount. In Congress, a number of Democratic and Republican lawmakers have called for a “reassessment of military and political support for Tel Aviv.”
In response to the criticism, Israeli officials have claimed they have facilitated the entry of aid, but cite field conditions — including the presence of armed groups and lack of security — as obstacles to proper distribution. They have also alleged that some aid shipments are being seized by militant groups — a claim that aid organizations have not confirmed.
Nevertheless, images and videos circulated by international media clearly show the dire state of ordinary people in Gaza: long queues, starving children, patients without medicine, and lifeless bodies lying on the ground.
The World Health Organization has announced that the healthcare system in Gaza has virtually collapsed, with more than 70 percent of hospitals now out of service. The United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) has also warned that, if the current situation continues, Gaza will face a “silent genocide.”
The civilian death toll, especially among women and children, is rising rapidly. Meanwhile, global public opinion — particularly in Western countries — is increasingly unconvinced by Israel’s official narratives. Massive protests in European capitals against the ongoing crisis in Gaza show that global patience is wearing thin.
At present, there are no serious indications of a change in Israeli policy. Prime Minister Netanyahu’s government continues to emphasize “national security” and “preventing Hamas from gaining strength” as justifications for delaying or restricting the large-scale entry of humanitarian aid. This approach not only worsens the humanitarian crisis but also heightens the likelihood of expanded global protests and increased political pressure against Israel.
Some analysts believe that by implementing a “drip-feed aid policy,” Israel is seeking to exert psychological pressure and induce social exhaustion among Gaza’s population — a strategy that constitutes collective punishment and starkly violates international law and the Geneva Conventions.
The recent Western reactions to Israel’s actions could have long-term implications for Tel Aviv’s strategic ties with its allies. Public opinion, free media, and human rights groups in Western countries are now putting substantial pressure on governments to reconsider their unconditional support for Israel.
In the United States as well, foreign policy and the Middle East are likely to become central themes in the upcoming presidential election. President Biden is trying to strike a balance between Washington’s traditional commitments to Israel and domestic pressure stemming from the humanitarian crisis — a mission that grows more difficult by the day.
The death of 1,000 people merely in pursuit of aid serves as a moral and humanitarian alarm bell for the world. Gaza has transformed not only into a regional crisis but also into a mirror of global conscience. If Western nations fail to alter Israeli policy or at least prevent the continuation of this catastrophe, their own moral legitimacy will be called into question.
Now, more than ever, it may be time for the international community to rise in defense of humanity — before it’s too late.
