ICAI review of UK aid to Gaza – Bond reaction

Today, Tuesday 21 May, The Independent Commission for Aid Impact (ICAI) has released its rapid review on UK aid to Gaza. The review finds that UK aid to Gaza is still largely blocked from entering Gaza despite efforts to improve access.

The UK aid watchdog finds that diplomatic efforts have so far been ineffective in securing access to get enough aid into Gaza to address the mounting humanitarian catastrophe, worsening as Israel’s invasion of Rafah progresses.

The report also notes that the US, Spain, Canada, Belgium, Italy and the Netherlands have all paused arms licenses or shipments to Israel over fears that they may be used in violation of international humanitarian law. While, at the time of writing, the government has declined to publish their assessment of whether international humanitarian law has been breached but the foreign secretary stated in April that he expected Israel to “abide by international humanitarian law, even when challenged”.

In reaction to the ICAI review, Gideon Rabinowitz, Director of Policy and Advocacy at Bond, the UK network for NGOs said: 

The UK’s diplomatic efforts to halt the Rafah offensive and rapidly increase humanitarian assistance in Gaza have been ineffective and ignored. As 1.4 million displaced civilians shelter in Rafah, the UK government must increase pressure and not be afraid to enforce strong diplomatic action to urgently prevent any further assault on Rafah and demand an immediate lasting ceasefire. The UK must also immediately resume funding to UNRWA, and suspend arms sales to Israel for as long as there is a risk they may be used to violate international law.

ENDS.

Notes for editors

• Read the ICAI report online.

• Read a joint statement from over 30 NGOs calling on the UK government to work urgently to prevent any further assault on Rafah.

• Read Bond’s latest blog questioning whether ‘aid washing’ is holding back peacebuilding and development in Gaza.

• The Independent Commission for Aid Impact works to improve the quality of UK development assistance through robust, independent scrutiny.

• Bond unites and supports a diverse network of over 350 civil society organisations from across the UK, and allies to help eradicate global poverty, inequality and injustice. 

• For further information or interviews, please get in touch with Jess Salter at [email protected] or call 07493200979.