Gaza residents still wait for increased flow of humanitarian aid | DW News

Key Concepts: Rafa border crossing, humanitarian crisis, ceasefire deal, hostage returns, Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, UN, Red Crescent, Trump's 20-point peace plan, governance of Gaza, disarmament of Hamas, rebuilding Gaza, rubble removal, dangerous munitions, emergency housing, long-term infrastructure, Trump economic development plan, International Criminal Court (ICC), International Court of Justice (ICJ), Abraham Accords, double standards, accountability, war crimes.

The Dire Humanitarian Situation and Border Access

Israeli media reports indicate plans to reopen Gaza's key Rafa border crossing with Egypt, though a security source suggests it could take days. Thousands of tons of food and medical supplies are awaiting entry, while residents return to find their homes in ruins after two years of war. The situation is described as "dire," with desperate needs for food, water, fuel, and medicine. Despite calls for urgent and unhindered humanitarian relief, aid is moving at a "glacial pace," with international groups emphasizing the need for faster delivery to save lives. Currently, only a "few trucks" are entering, met by "large crowds" in a manner "not conformed to humanitarian standards."

Border crossings remain heavily restricted. Israel attributes this to Hamas's failure to return all bodies of hostages as part of the US-brokered ceasefire deal. Security concerns and logistical challenges further impede the process, exacerbating the misery for hundreds of thousands of Gazans.

Hostage Returns and Israeli Sanctions: Hamas is expected to hand over four more bodies of deceased Israeli hostages, bringing the total to 12 out of 28. Seven of the returned bodies have been identified as hostages, while an eighth is reported to be a Gazan, not a hostage. The Israeli government has yet to issue an official response, but the process has been "very slow," leading Israel to deem it a "violation of the agreement." In response, Israel has threatened sanctions, including keeping the Rafa border crossing closed and cutting aid in half. Conflicting reports exist in Israeli media regarding the reopening of the crossing, which currently remains closed. However, more trucks are reportedly making their way to Rafa from Egypt, offering some hope for future movement.

Shifting Aid Mechanisms

The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, established to facilitate aid and replace the UN after unproven allegations of aid falling into Hamas's hands, had received significant support from the US and Israel. Under the new ceasefire plan, this organization will "cease to exist" or operate. The UN and similar organizations like the Red Crescent are taking over operations. The UN reports that the withdrawal of the Israeli military has made it "easier" to get aid into Gaza due to reduced coordination requirements, enabling them to deliver vital medical supplies to remaining Gazan hospitals. However, they stress that the "road to recovery is incredibly long" and aid is desperately needed, with 600 trucks a day cited as the "absolute bare minimum" required, a target not yet met.

The Vague Gaza Peace Plan: Phase Two Challenges

Talks on the second phase of President Donald Trump's 20-point peace plan have commenced. This phase aims to address "more significant issues" of the plan, which is described as "very vague." Negotiators face the challenge of aligning the two sides on critical aspects.

Key Unresolved Issues: Major "question marks" loom over the governance of Gaza, the role of Hamas, the withdrawal of the Israeli military, and the disarmament of Hamas. Analysts express concern that a prolonged negotiation process could allow Hamas to reestablish its authority on the ground, with signs already visible as Hamas security forces patrol streets and engage in fighting with other militias. To prevent Hamas's influence from becoming "entrenched" in civilian affairs, these talks need to accelerate.

The Monumental Task of Rebuilding Gaza

Trump's peace plan lacks specifics on how Gaza will be rebuilt. With winter approaching, additional hardship is anticipated for the territory's largely displaced population. Gaza is described as "a field of rubble," with an estimated 60 million tons of debris from destroyed houses, hospitals, and schools. The vast majority of Gazans are now "unhoused refugees" in their own territory. While Trump optimistically suggests "rebuilding begins" and "may be the easiest part," the reality is a "monumental task" with no agreement on how to proceed.

Immediate and Long-term Challenges:

• Rubble and Munitions Clearance: The first challenge is clearing 60 million tons of rubble and dangerous munitions, some in areas still under Hamas control.
• Health Risks: Thousands of dead bodies are believed to be under collapsed buildings, posing serious health risks like cholera and tuberculosis due to decomposition. Rubble removal will require individuals, not just heavy equipment, to locate these remains.
• Emergency Housing: With an estimated 90% of houses damaged or destroyed, many Gazans have nothing to return to and are living in tents under "catastrophic sanitary conditions" as colder weather approaches.
• Long-term Infrastructure: Rebuilding long-term housing and infrastructure could take "over a decade." Nearly 80% of Gaza's roads are damaged, and most hospitals and schools are in ruins. Hamas's prior control of this infrastructure is a "sticking point."

Financing and Governance Obstacles: Trump's plan includes a "Trump economic development plan" to create a panel of international experts for investment opportunities to fund rebuilding. The UN estimates at least $70 billion will be needed. Financing remains the "greatest question mark," with uncertainty over whether funds will come from business investment or humanitarian aid. The long-term control of Gaza is "still up in the air," and Hamas's resistance to surrendering power further complicates the issue.

Expert Insights: Andrew Gilmore on Reconstruction, Accountability, and Hope

Andrew Gilmore, former UN Assistant Secretary General for Human Rights, highlights the unprecedented scale of destruction in Gaza.

Unprecedented Destruction and Rubble Removal: Gilmore states that even those with lifetimes of experience in conflict and reconstruction have "never seen anything like this" – the scale of systematic, deliberate destruction. The number of munitions dropped on Gaza "equals dropping on Berlin, London, Hamburg, and several other cities combined during the entire Second World War." He reiterates the 60 million tons of rubble and expresses concern that Israel has already cut desperately needed aid when hostage remains were delayed. He questions whether Israel will allow the necessary equipment and personnel to remove the rubble, noting that heavy equipment alone is insufficient due to the tens of thousands of bodies (beyond the 70,000 casualties mentioned) likely buried beneath, requiring individuals to meticulously search.

Assurances for Reconstruction Funding: While full peace isn't a prerequisite for starting reconstruction, "pretty strong assurances" are needed. Gilmore cites the example of the EU's development efforts in the West Bank, where structures were repeatedly built and then destroyed by Israelis. Donors, particularly the EU and Gulf Arab states, who are expected to contribute large portions of the estimated $60 billion for Gaza, are "by no means convinced" they will receive such assurances, making this a "most important factor." This concern, however, should not impede vital aid or temporary housing for the approaching winter.

Accountability for Human Rights Violations: Gilmore points to the "West's double standards," where there's strong pressure for accountability for war crimes in Ukraine, but countries like the United States and Germany actively "undermine" processes by the International Criminal Court (ICC) and International Court of Justice (ICJ) regarding Gaza. He notes a "lot of appetite for trying to find some accountability" for the "very wide selection of war crimes" committed in Gaza, but anticipates counter-pressure from Washington and Berlin. He acknowledges the "elation" over the Phase 1 agreement but warns that Phase 2 is "anything but guaranteed."

Sources of Hope for Lasting Peace: Gilmore identifies three main sources of hope:

1. Addressing the Abraham Accords Flaw: The Trump agreement finally addresses the "tremendous flaw" of the Abraham Accords, which excluded Palestinians, assuming they would lose morale. This assumption proved disastrous, leading to desperation and Hamas's actions on October 7th. Now, there's a focus on the Palestinians.
2. Gulf Involvement: The involvement of Gulf Arab states, who wield significant influence with the Trump administration due to their financial power, offers hope. Their readiness "to be taken seriously" is a positive sign.
3. Trump's Continued Engagement: If Trump remains actively involved and consistently warns Israelis (not just Arabs) of "consequences" should they "rip up his deal" (which some Israelis are "very keen to do"), there is hope for a lasting peace.

Conclusion

Gaza faces an unprecedented humanitarian crisis and a monumental rebuilding challenge, complicated by ongoing political instability, border restrictions, and the slow pace of aid. While a ceasefire holds, the path to lasting peace and reconstruction is fraught with obstacles, including unresolved issues in Trump's vague peace plan, the potential for Hamas to re-entrench its influence, and the immense financial and logistical hurdles of rebuilding. Expert analysis highlights the need for strong assurances for reconstruction funding and accountability for human rights violations, while also identifying sources of hope in the renewed focus on Palestinians, Gulf involvement, and sustained diplomatic pressure.