The Truth Behind Gaza Aid: An Insider's Analysis and Practical Guide
- 小轩 李
- 3 days ago
- 15 min read
By Kening Zhang | October 25, 2025
With the signing of a new ceasefire agreement, the blockade of Gaza has been nominally lifted to some extent, but the difficulties in the circulation of humanitarian aid remain unresolved. Tens of thousands of aid supplies continue to be caught in the back-and-forth struggle between being "allowed" and "blocked." Meanwhile, on the political stage of the Nobel Peace Prize competition, various powers treat the aid issue as a bargaining chip, continually placing the survival rights of Gaza's civilians on the geopolitical chessboard.
This article will uncover how humanitarian aid is manipulated and distorted by various forces within this complex system, ultimately becoming a tool for profit for a few. It will also analyze, point by point, the paths and obstacles of "aid being donated from abroad to the people of Gaza" and provide a practical guide for volunteers. Our goal is not to offer a simple critique, but to present an actionable, verifiable, and safety-conscious manual for field workers.
I. Humanitarian Aid in the Blockade: How Supplies Break Through to Gaza
(I) Overview of the UN 2720 Mechanism
"2720" refers to a United Nations emergency humanitarian aid operation mechanism, led by the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). It's based on United Nations Security Council Resolution 2720, adopted on 22 December 2023, after operation Al Aqsa Flood when IOF invaded Gaza, called for increased aid for the ongoing Gaza humanitarian crisis, including the provisioning of fuel, food, and medical supplies. It also explicitly demanded the opening of all Gaza border crossings to humanitarian aid. Through cooperation with multiple agencies such as the World Food Programme (WFP), World Health Organization (WHO), and others, the mechanism coordinates resources and support to facilitate the smooth, safe, and large-scale delivery of humanitarian aid to conflict zones and areas under blockade. It coordinates the actions of various international organizations and governments, including the management and security of personnel movement; ensures aid is not misused or diverted; and maximizes the accurate delivery of supplies to those in need, laying the foundation for long-term recovery and reconstruction.
(II) How to Utilize the UN 2720 Mechanism for Donations
Step 1: Understand the Mechanism and Your Role
Before taking action, it is important to clarify the role of the donor:
For material donors, you should have or procure specific supplies (such as food, medical supplies, tents, etc.).
For financial donors, you need to provide funding, which is used by partners (such as UN agencies or international NGOs) to purchase and transport the supplies. The UN 2720 mechanism mainly collaborates with UN agencies or certified NGOs with field operations and execution capabilities in Gaza.
Step 2: Identify and Confirm Implementing Partners
This is the key step. Supplies or funds need to be routed through an agency that is already a partner of the UN 2720 mechanism.
Preferred Partners: Contact major UN humanitarian agencies like the WFP, UNICEF, WHO, UNRWA, etc. These organizations are typically the largest users of the mechanism.
International NGOs: Contact large international NGOs with long-term operations in Gaza and knowledge of local conditions.
Verify Qualifications: When communicating with potential partners, ask if they are registered and familiar with the UN 2720 mechanism's procedures.
Step 3: Prepare Supplies and Compliance Check
Collaborate with implementing partners to ensure donated materials meet the requirements:
Priority Material Categories: Prioritize supplies urgently needed in Gaza, such as:
Food & Nutrition: Staple foods, high-nutrition biscuits, infant formula.
Medical Health: Medicines, medical devices, surgical supplies, vaccines.
Water, Sanitation & Shelter: Water tanks, water purification tablets, hygiene kits, tents, waterproof tarps.
Other: Educational supplies, core relief items.
"Dual-use Items" Review: This is the biggest challenge in the approval process. Israeli authorities (COGAT, further detailed in section "I(4)") prohibit any items that could potentially be used for "military" purposes. The implementing partner will help conduct internal reviews to avoid submitting material requests that may be rejected (such as certain communication devices, chemicals, or even some medical supplies). It’s crucial to consult the compliance department of your partner in advance.
Step 4: Submit Requests through Partners and Enter the UN 2720 Process
Once an agreement is reached with the implementing partner (e.g., signing a funding agreement or material donation agreement), the official UN 2720 process is initiated by the partner:
Partner Submits Request: The implementing partner will submit a detailed supply delivery request to COGAT (Coordinating Office for Government Activities in the Territories) and simultaneously track the request through the UN 2720 system.
Approval and Coordination: The UN 2720 team will work with COGAT to follow up on the approval status. The mechanism's role is to expedite communication and problem-solving, but it does not replace COGAT’s final approval authority.
Status Tracking: Implementing partners can access the UN 2720 tracking system to monitor whether the request is "pending approval," "approved," "denied," or "in transit." You can ask partners for status updates.
Step 5: Transport, Supervision, and Final Delivery
This is where the UN 2720 mechanism demonstrates its supervisory value:
Transport to Border: The partner is responsible for transporting supplies to the designated crossing points (primarily Kerem Shalom).
UN 2720 On-site Inspection: Once supplies arrive in Gaza, independent UN 2720 monitors inspect the distribution points to verify that the quantity, type, and condition of the materials match the original request.
Internal Tracking and Delivery Verification: Monitors track the storage and distribution of supplies inside Gaza and verify that they reach their intended civilian destinations (e.g., hospitals, distribution points).
Obtain Report: As a donor, you can request a final delivery report from the implementing partner, which may include a summary of monitoring reports, photos, or the partner’s final report. This is key to ensuring accountability for the donation.
Key Recommendations for Donors:
Collaborate Early: The entire process (from preparation to delivery) is time-consuming. Start planning with implementing partners as early as possible.
Maintain Flexibility: Conditions and access policies in Gaza can change quickly. Delays and rejections are common. Be prepared with contingency plans or flexible funding to respond to changing needs.
Trust but Verify: The supervisory function of the UN 2720 mechanism enhances transparency, but it’s still important to ask partners for clear reports on how supplies are used.
Focus on Core Needs: Prioritize donating the most essential, least controversial life-saving items to maximize the chances of successful delivery.
(III) Insights from the September Monthly Report of the UN 2720 Mechanism
Since the formal resumption of UN humanitarian aid in May 2025, the UN 2720 mechanism has played a crucial role in supply handling, monitoring, and coordination. The following is a detailed progress report based on the mechanism's September 2025 update:
1. Overall Aid Supply Overview
Total Aid Delivered: In September 2025, the UN 2720 mechanism processed and delivered 29.2 thousand metric tons (29,200 tons) of supplies, a 4% decrease from the 30.4 thousand metric tons delivered in August.
Main Transport Routes:
Israel (62%): Most aid entered Gaza through Israel's border crossings, primarily via Kerem Shalom (the main humanitarian aid route between Israel and Gaza) and Erez crossing.
Egypt (16%): Supplies continued to be transported through the Rafah crossing in Egypt; this was expected to be another key route, but its opening dates were repeatedly delayed, causing many aid trucks to be stuck on the Egyptian side. According to the ceasefire agreement, 600 trucks of aid were to enter Gaza daily, but the actual number often fell short of this target.
Jordan Corridor (10%): Supplies entered Gaza through a complex route involving Jordan, Israel, and Gaza, indirectly controlled by the U.S.
Other Routes (3%): Aid was transshipped through other countries, including Cyprus.
Destinations Reached: Over 8,200 tons of supplies successfully reached civilian destinations in Gaza, surpassing the combined total of 6,400 tons delivered in June, July, and August 2025. These supplies mainly helped address Gaza's medical, nutritional, sanitation, and shelter needs.
2. Distribution of Aid Categories
The supplies distributed by the UN 2720 mechanism mainly covered the following sectors:
Food (75%): Food was the largest category of aid, especially long-term stored foods, canned goods, etc.
Shelter (16%): This included tents and materials for temporary shelters to assist refugees and displaced families in Gaza.
Health (6%): Medical devices, medicines, disinfectants, and first aid supplies to help address the inadequacies in Gaza's medical facilities and deteriorating health conditions.
Nutrition (1%): Primarily infant foods and nutritional supplements to combat malnutrition caused by the conflict.
Operational Support (1%): Supplies such as fuel and communication equipment to ensure the smooth operation of humanitarian efforts.
3. Management of Supply Flow through Multiple Cross-Border Routes
Transport Routes:
Israeli-Controlled Routes: Most of the supplies were transported via Kerem Shalom, Zikim, and Erez crossings.
Jordan Corridor: The route through Jordan accounted for 10% of the total transport in September 2025.
Cyprus Route: Aid was also delivered via sea routes from Cyprus, mainly consisting of donations from Europe and other regions.
Supply Retention and Processing: As of September 30, 2025, the UN 2720 mechanism had approved and processed over 182 thousand metric tons of supplies, which were either in transit or awaiting further distribution. This mainly included food, shelter materials, and sanitation supplies.
4. Monitoring and Transparency
To ensure the transparent distribution of supplies, the UN 2720 mechanism continued to enforce strict monitoring:
Number and Distribution of Monitoring Tasks: In September 2025, UN 2720 monitors conducted 325 monitoring tasks, including:
208 border crossing inspections (mainly at Kerem Shalom and Erez, ensuring supplies were effectively recorded when entering Gaza).
114 warehouse checks (examining supplies stored in UN or international NGO partner warehouses to ensure supplies were not misused or diverted).
1 inspection of loading operations in Cyprus, where 454 pallets of household food supplies were directly examined.
Interception of Supplies: During September, some supplies were intercepted or seized during transport. The majority of these intercepted supplies were food (96%), with a small percentage being shelter materials (3%) and nutrition supplies (1%). These interception events highlight the significant challenges in the supply distribution process in Gaza.
5. Reasons for Rejection of Supplies
Approximately 85% of rejected supplies were "Critical Humanitarian Items (CHI)" often deemed by Israel to have "dual-use" potential. Common rejected items included certain medical equipment, medicines, and construction materials (e.g., cement, rebar), which were considered potentially usable for "military" purposes or misused in non-humanitarian activities in Gaza. About 15% of rejected items were non-CHI items, mainly due to inadequate documentation or failure to meet transport protocol.
6. Processing and Approval of Aid Applications
In September 2025, a total of 481 aid supply requests were received, with 305 approved, 55 rejected, and the remaining requests still under review. Among the approved requests:
65% of material applications were approved within 1-10 days.
19% were approved within 11-19 days.
A few applications took over 30 days to process.
7. Outlook for Future Supply
As of September 30, 2025, the UN 2720 mechanism was processing and approving a total of 191.7 thousand metric tons of supplies, with some of these already prepared for dispatch to Gaza. The transportation of supplies will continue to depend on UN agreements with Israel, as well as cooperation through other cross-border routes. Despite the strengthening of UN 2720's humanitarian work in Gaza, the movement of supplies still faces significant challenges due to border controls, political interference, and security issues. The UN will continue to adjust its strategies to ensure that humanitarian supplies reach those in need as effectively as possible.
(IV) COGAT's Role and Relationship with the UN 2720 Mechanism
COGAT (Coordination of Government Activities in the Territories) is a department under the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) responsible for coordinating civil affairs between Israel and the Palestinian territories, including the transportation of supplies, infrastructure projects, and administrative management. Its duties include ensuring that humanitarian aid and commercial goods enter Gaza, the West Bank, and other areas, while also overseeing the flow of supplies to ensure they comply with Israel's 'security' requirements.
By categorizing materials into three levels and providing different approval processes for each, the UN 2720 mechanism can more effectively coordinate the flow of supplies, ensuring that humanitarian aid reaches regions like Gaza on time. Coordination organizations must ensure that only Level 1 supplies (green label) can be directly coordinated after submission, while Level 2 (orange) and Level 3 (red) supplies require more complex approval processes.
Level 1 (Green): These supplies have been pre-approved and can be directly coordinated through the UN 2720 mechanism without additional approval. Examples include tents (up to 48 square meters, with pipe diameter no more than 38mm), dose pumps, PVC pipes, medical equipment such as portable anesthesia machines, ECG machines, solar panels, flexible water tanks, and personal protective equipment.
Level 2 (Orange): These supplies will be submitted to the UN 2720 mechanism and undergo a fast-track approval process (within 3 days). Examples include mobile units, reverse osmosis membranes, large tents (49-72 square meters), water quality testing equipment, and generators (under 30KVA).
Level 3 (Red): These supplies must go through a more detailed approval process. Examples include large storage tents (over 72 square meters), reverse osmosis desalination equipment, X-ray machines, and diesel generators.
(V) Gaza Humanitarian Logistics Channel Operations Briefing (Data as of October 8, 2025)
According to the WFP and Logistics Cluster's online briefing on Gaza humanitarian operations, the humanitarian supply transportation to Gaza is mainly dependent on the Egypt Corridor and Jordan Corridor, but overall transport capacity is significantly impacted by policy restrictions and security concerns. Despite the ceasefire statement, Israeli authorities have yet to implement the full passage plan. On weekdays (except weekends), about 600-800 trucks pass through daily, with UN and international NGO vehicles accounting for about 31% (250 trucks). The northern crossings may reopen, but key details such as quotas, NGO registration procedures, and fuel supply remain unclear.
From the reporting period (September 10 to October 8, 2025), a total of 1,262 trucks entered Gaza from six major sources. Egypt was the largest source of supplies, contributing 417 trucks, accounting for 33.0% of the total, highlighting its role as a key hub for the southern corridor. Following closely was the Ashdod port in Israel, providing 352 trucks (27.9%). Other Israeli regions contributed 224 trucks (17.7%). These three sources accounted for 78.6%, forming the backbone of Gaza's aid supply. In contrast, the West Bank (100 trucks, 7.9%), Jordan (89 trucks, 7.1%), and Cyprus (80 trucks, 6.3%) provided supplementary routes.
In terms of supply categories, food aid dominated, accounting for 64.3% of the total, reflecting Gaza's most urgent need to address hunger. Other supplies included shelter materials (11.2%), water and sanitation items (9.1%), and healthcare supplies (7.4%). This distribution suggests that the current humanitarian response primarily focuses on sustaining basic survival needs, with long-term investments in shelter, water, sanitation, and healthcare still requiring enhancement.
Egypt Corridor: Core Route but Significant Fluctuations
Since May 19, a total of 1,236 trucks have unloaded goods at the Kerem Shalom/Karem Abu Salem crossing, but monthly data has been highly unstable (with a peak of 1,799 trucks in May, plummeting to just 26 trucks in September). The goods awaiting transport in Egypt total 8,916 truckloads, with 50% allocated to food security and 20% to shelter materials. A current challenge is the limited clearance for NGOs, as only health-related goods are eligible for tariff exemptions. Additionally, transport plans must be submitted in advance to the Egyptian Red Crescent for approval.
Jordan Corridor: Potential Yet to Be Fully Realized
Since its initiation in December 2023, the total transport volume has reached 21,200 metric tons, but only 2,779 metric tons were transported after operations resumed in May 2025. A security incident on September 18 led to the closure of the KHB crossing, completely halting inter-governmental transport; although commercial routes remained operational, only 7 trucks completed unloading by early October. Currently, shelter materials account for 53% of warehouse stock, but 66% of the supplies in transit are food-related, reflecting delays in meeting supply-demand matching.
II. The Mirror and the Lamp of Gaza Aid: The Five Hidden Layers of the Humanitarian Supply Chain
In Gaza, humanitarian aid is not merely an act of kindness but a brutal game played on a tightrope between politics, interests, and survival. This section will, based on firsthand experiences in the field, expose the five hidden realities behind the glossy slogans.
(I) "Trickles" of Aid: A Strictly Controlled Lifeline for Goods
Despite Israel's comprehensive blockade of Gaza, a tiny "trickle" of humanitarian aid is still allowed to enter, though the process is fraught with difficulty and uncertainty. The approved supplies mostly consist of necessities like flour, baby food, nutritional supplements, and medicines, while critical items such as fresh food, fuel, and clean water equipment are frequently banned. The quantity of these supplies, compared to the needs of Gaza's 2.3 million people, is a mere drop in the ocean. For example, China Panda Aid’s experience reveals that a batch of 4.3 tons of medical supplies remained stuck in a warehouse in Shenzhen, China for over nine months and was never granted entry into Gaza.
All aid trucks must undergo Israel’s extremely strict and complex inspection process. This includes multiple unloadings, X-ray scans, and sometimes, to comply with security personnel’s demands to visibly inspect the cargo, the sides of the truck must be opened. Israel prevents so-called “dual-use goods” (items considered to have both civilian and potential military uses) from entering, and may seize goods for administrative reasons. Additionally, due to geopolitical factors (e.g., governments not wishing to see adversaries benefit), local authorities may set up multiple checkpoints.
Even if goods are allowed in, the prolonged waiting process itself is a drain. The complex customs and approval process can hold up goods for anywhere from six months to a year. According to China Panda Aid's director, Mr. Lee Siu Hin, materials stored in desert conditions are highly prone to spoilage, and Israel’s deliberate delays are essentially a strategy to "break down" the aid efficiency. Clearly marked UN warehouses or humanitarian facilities have also been attacked by Israel, making the storage and distribution of goods a high-risk endeavor.
(II) The "Fantastic Drift" of Supplies: From Aid to the Black Market
Within Gaza, aid supplies undergo a heartbreaking "fantastic drift."
Some aid supplies are looted by organized gangs upon entering Gaza. These stolen goods then surface on Gaza's black market, where they are sold for 2 to 3 times, or even more, the original price. In March 2025, the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) warehouse in Rafah was raided by armed militants, and more than 300 tons of flour and medical supplies were found on the black market. While it is difficult to directly confirm whether Israel "instructed" these actions, the environment it created through its blockade and chaos objectively nurtured the gangs' growth and operations. Chaos, in itself, is a tool of governance.
(III) NGOs' "Business Logic": Profit-Makers in the Humanitarian Supply Chain
In the international aid sector, many organizations, particularly some Western NGOs, have transformed into finely-tuned “business machines.”
The idea of "zero-cost charity" is a fallacy. Mr. Lee Siu Hin points out that the operational management, staff salaries, and international logistics costs may account for nearly half of the total expenditure. The claim that “100% of donations reach the beneficiaries” contradicts economic principles. At the same time, the motivations of Western countries in donating are not purely altruistic. They often send out products nearing expiration or unsold items (like EU’s expiring powdered milk) via UN or NGOs. This serves to subsidize their domestic businesses while clearing out inventory.
Furthermore, in humanitarian transit centers like Cairo, there is a significant presence of “charitable scammers” who profit under the guise of goodwill. They take advantage of information asymmetry and the helplessness of small organizations, extracting profits at every step of the complicated process. The actions of certain large Western NGOs have even been described as "industrialized performance art" (such as spending $200,000 to buy and refurbish a boat, which was later seized by Israel with no real effect), while deliberately ignoring the contributions of humanitarian groups from Turkey, the Middle East, and the Global South.
(IV) The "Black Cycle" of Donations: The Absurd Journey from Kindness to the Black Market
The goodwill of private donors embarks on a dark and absurd cycle as it enters Gaza.
Due to the severed formal financial channels, donations often need to pass through informal “black violence” routes, such as underground money exchanges, where they incur hefty fees of 10%-30%. After being drained through this exploitation, the remaining funds are used to buy looted humanitarian supplies from the black market, supplies that should have been provided for free. This creates a despairing cycle: donations → extracted by black market channels → used to buy stolen aid supplies → funds end up in the hands of criminals and smugglers. Kindness, in this cycle, is slowly drained, nourishing the darkness it was meant to fight.
(V) The "Business Wisdom" of Blockaders: Israel's Monopoly
While imposing the blockade, Israel has also left itself a "business backdoor"—it allows some commercial goods to pass through its controlled crossings into Gaza.
A new aid route is currently being aggressively pushed: after the Rafah crossing was damaged by Israel, the Jordan Corridor is being promoted as an alternative led by the US and Israel. All goods must first pass through Israel and then enter Gaza through the Kerem Shalom crossing. This shift is no coincidence; behind the scenes, it is a geopolitical maneuver carefully planned by the US to strengthen regional control. Since Israel fully controls the passage, it can impose high “transit fees” and designate suppliers, reaping huge profits from these commercial trades.
Gaza's population, struggling to survive, must buy essential items at exorbitant prices—items that should be affordable. Even local volunteer kitchens have to procure supplies through the black market just to stay operational. This essentially turns the scarcity created by the blockade into enormous profit, blatantly feeding off the suffering of others.
III. Moving Forward with Understanding: To Every Donor with a Good Heart
Before stepping into the realm of humanitarian aid in Gaza, our article wishes for you to understand some of the realities starkly different from idealistic perceptions.
This aid journey is not straightforward; it is shrouded in fog. Most people do not know the specifics of the process or who to contact. The entire system is largely monopolized by major governments and connected companies, forming an "exclusive circle" difficult for outsiders to penetrate. Here, you will witness how aid is refracted through political obstruction, complex interests, moral dilemmas, and the darkness of human nature. You may feel disheartened; for example, at humanterian meetings, some officials appear indifferent and arrogant, concerned only with their own small spheres.
The core lesson we’ve gained at a great cost is:
First, "A deep understanding of human nature is essential." In this realm, pure goodwill, without accompanying practical wisdom, is easily exploited.
Second, "Many who loudly accuse others of being frauds or inefficient may themselves be part of this very game."
This process undoubtedly consumes our patience and compassion. At times, there are no transparent rules or opportunities for public involvement—everything tests your judgment.
However, it is only after recognizing all of this that we choose to take action, and it is this action that becomes even more valuable. We call for "long live understanding"—not only understanding the dire situation of Gaza’s people, but also the complex reality faced by us, the frontline workers.
Please understand that, despite the flaws in the system, every resource you support is still a vital lifeline between us and the people on the frontlines. Do not abandon your care for them because of the system's distortions. Let us, with clear wisdom and unyielding warmth, continue to strive together, ensuring that goodwill avoids the reefs and reaches those in greatest need more effectively.