UN official condemns ‘de facto authorities’ assault on humanitarian workers, fails to name Hamas

A United Nations official has condemned an assault on humanitarian aid workers in Gaza, describing the perpetrators as "de facto authorities" but conspicuously omitting any mention of Hamas. Dr. Ramiz Alakbarov, the UN Deputy Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, stated on Sunday that the incident involved an invasion of a food distribution warehouse in Jabalia, where two drivers delivering humanitarian supplies were assaulted.

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De facto authorities” invaded and assaulted staff at the Abu Rashid food distribution point in Jabalia on Saturday.

Alakbarov asserted that he "strongly" condemned the attack, identifying a "dangerous pattern of intimidation, violence and obstruction, including smuggling attempts, targeting and abusing humanitarian operations" carried out by these unnamed "de facto authorities." While refraining from naming Hamas, Alakbarov also pointed to Israel's extensive control over the territory as a significant threat to the delivery of humanitarian supplies. He emphasized that all parties must respect and protect humanitarian personnel and resources under international humanitarian law.

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I strongly condemned the incident, Alakbarov acknowledged there was a “dangerous pattern of intimidation, violence and obstruction, including smuggling attempts, targeting and abusing humanitarian operations” being carried out by the “de facto authorities.”

However, the UN's statement drew criticism from NGO Monitor. Anne Herzberg, the organization's legal advisor, welcomed the condemnation but expressed concern over the UN's long-standing inaction and alleged complicity in aid diversion. Herzberg found Alakbarov's refusal to name Hamas "troubling." She also criticized the UN for condemning Israel's control over Gaza, arguing that this control is mandated by a UN Security Council resolution endorsing a plan to end the Gaza conflict.

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The expansion of areas under Israeli control is further reducing the space available to civilians, making it imperative that humanitarian assistance is able to move safely and reach people in need without interference.

The UN Security Council adopted Resolution 2803 in November, supporting a US-backed 20-point plan for Gaza. Herzberg expressed hope that the UN would begin to take more active measures, implying a need for greater accountability and clarity in its pronouncements regarding the conflict and aid delivery.

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Under international humanitarian law, all parties must respect and protect humanitarian personnel, facilities and relief supplies, and refrain from actions that obstruct humanitarian operations…