Gaza and Israel: Frequently asked questions
Is Oxfam able to provide any meaningful aid?
Even in the face of unimaginable suffering and relentless bombardment, Oxfam and our partners continue to make a difference in the lives of Palestinians in Gaza. Together, we are doing all we can to provide life-saving support amid a near-total siege, but on a fraction of the scale we could reach if more aid was allowed into Gaza and access increased. Our colleagues in Gaza are working tirelessly to support those facing starvation, mass displacement, and the collapse of essential services – including safe, clean drinking water.
Oxfam’s supplies inside Gaza have been destroyed. Our last food parcel was delivered on 20th April, yet through our partners, we continue to deliver clean water by truck, offer emergency cash assistance, support home gardens and small-scale food production, and provide some sanitation services, legal aid, and protection against gender-based violence. We also offer professional psycho-social support, especially for children deeply traumatised by the horrors they are enduring, including through recreational activities to help restore a sense of normalcy.
Although our operations are currently severely restricted, our warehouses are stocked with vital supplies ready to scale up our response as soon as more aid is allowed in.
What assurances can you make that Oxfam funds are not supporting any armed groups?
Oxfam is an impartial organisation with rigorous controls in place to ensure assistance we provide gets to the people who need it most. We have no links to Hamas. Hamas does not control, direct or influence our work, and no Oxfam funding goes to Hamas. Oxfam either works directly or via trusted partner organisations, which are carefully vetted.
Why do Oxfam say that Israel is using starvation as a weapon of war?
In March an independent, UN-led report warned that famine is imminent in northern Gaza and that 1.1 million people across the Gaza Strip – half of the population – are at risk of famine if Israel persists in its military attacks and restricting humanitarian access.
Starvation - deprivation not only of food but also of water and other goods essential for survival - is a prohibited tactic of war under International Humanitarian Law.
Oxfam believes that Israel’s siege of Gaza is a deeply immoral act and a breach of International Humanitarian Law as it denies civilians in Gaza sufficient food, water, fuel, medicine and humanitarian aid.
Prior to October, Gaza used to rely on about 500 truckloads a day for all its goods, including humanitarian aid as well as commercial trade. Currently only a fraction of the food aid needed is getting in and it is difficult to distribute because of the fighting and bombing.
Why is Israel responsible for providing water and electricity in Gaza?
Despite pulling out Israeli citizens and its ground forces from the Gaza Strip in 2005, the government of Israel remains in effective control over Gaza, including its airspace, seashore and borders. Israel is therefore internationally recognised as the occupying power and as such is responsible under International Humanitarian Law for the basic needs of the people of Gaza, including ensuring that they have sufficient food, water, medical supplies, fuel and other essential goods.
On 9 October, Israel imposed a ‘total siege’ of Gaza cutting off food, power, water and humanitarian aid from 2.3 million people. Oxfam condemns Israel for this deeply immoral act and believes it is a serious violation of International Humanitarian Law.
Why isn’t Oxfam responding in Israel?
The violence perpetrated on Israeli civilians by Hamas was appalling and Oxfam condemns the attacks in the strongest terms.
Our decision to respond in any crisis is always driven by humanitarian need alone.
The Israeli government and local and national organisations currently have the capacity to meet needs in Israel. Oxfam’s appeal is therefore focused on providing help in Gaza.
What is Oxfam’s view of the sexual violence perpetrated by Hamas on 7 October?
Oxfam condemns and abhors the use of sexual violence and degradation in any conflict, including the incidents of rape and sexual abuse committed by Hamas and other armed Palestinian groups against Israeli citizens and foreign nationals on 7 October.
Abuse of civilians, detainees and combatants are violations, both morally and in the eyes of international humanitarian and human rights law. There must be full independent investigations of all allegations and perpetrators must be held to account.
What is Oxfam’s view of abuse committed by Israeli forces?
Oxfam condemns reports of abuse of Palestinian prisoners by Israeli forces.
Abuse of civilians, detainees and combatants are violations, both morally and in the eyes of international humanitarian and human rights law. There must be full independent investigations of all allegations and perpetrators must be held to account.
What is Oxfam’s view of the taking of Israeli and foreign nationals as hostages?
We unequivocally condemn the appalling attacks and the taking of hostages by Hamas and other armed Palestinian groups in Gaza on 7 October. All diplomatic efforts must be made to ensure the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages.
What is Oxfam’s view of Israel’s right to defend its citizens and defeat Hamas?
There is no military solution possible to the conflict. A just and lasting agreement is needed that will allow all Israelis and Palestinians to live in freedom, with full and equal civil and political rights, and an end to the occupation. This attempt by Israel to destroy Hamas militarily is coming at an overwhelming cost of civilian death, injury and destruction, including thousands of children. Israel’s military aggression is in no way proportionate to the 7 October attacks by Hamas.
Oxfam calls for a comprehensive negotiated solution based on international law. We have been asking the international community to tackle the roots causes of this injustice and violence for years.