The Aid Standoff in Gaza Continues

May 26th, 2025

Boyana Nikolova

Despite prospects for a ceasefire and the safe distribution of aid earlier this year, Israel is keeping its tight grip on humanitarian aid. In March, aid groups were formally blocked from the Gaza Strip, preventing food, fuel, medical equipment and other supplies from reaching those caught in the crossfire of war. These conditions lasted for 2 ½ months, ending only this week. Israeli leaders have just announced that they would be increasing the number of aid trucks that can enter the Gaza Strip from 0 to 100 per day. The World Food Program (WFP,) United Nations (UN,) and a mix of other humanitarian organizations will be included and allowed to contribute their own aid trucks to the limit.

The aid trucks will bring much-needed support, coming during one of the most uncertain, fatal periods of the war. Although starvation was once viewed as a mere risk to the people of Gaza, it is likely at its worst point since the start of the conflict. In fact, private exchanges between Israeli military officers conclude that Palestinians have been facing “mass starvation” for months. With aid trucks finally entering, this crisis may be at least somewhat alleviated. Bakeries and produce shops will likely keep struggling with staff shortages and the continued risk of strikes, but aid groups will be able to help with the lack of food and cooking equipment.

Similar crises concerning sanitation, medical services, and transportation could also be ameliorated. The aid trucks will carry medicine, medical equipment, disinfecting wipes, and fuel apart from just food. These supplies will be vital in administering treatment to people who have been fortunate enough to survive until now. Surgeries, respiratory devices, and more will finally be available after having been closed off for months.

Naturally, there will still be challenges to humanitarian efforts. Looting has been widespread and ongoing since before the announcement of aid trucks being permitted. Additionally, aid will become centralized under one organization, the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, rather than operating through a plethora of UN-supported agencies. This new system will have to be freshly implemented and may endanger current UN efforts. Apart from that, it is not yet clear if Israel will take advantage of the organization as the UN’s reputation precedes its conflicting relationship with the Israeli state.

Extemp Analysis by Boyana

Question: Does the future of aid distribution in Gaza rely on Israel?

To answer this question, I’d immediately start with picking a side AND a thesis to defend it. In general, yes or no questions come with the risk of your answer seeming underdeveloped, obvious, or nonunique - so having a thesis is essential!! Once you have an answer and an overarching reason why your answer is correct, you can start formulating your points.

To make sure you cover all aspects of the question, I’d divide your answer into subpoints about how aid reaches the people. For example, I’d choose subpoints of how aid is transported, the condition of aid packages, and oversight for aid distribution. If all of these depend on Israeli approval, then yes, the future of aid distribution relies on Israel. Conversely, if I prove they don’t, then I can support an answer of no.

For each point, I’d use expectation/verification substructure. Start each point with what would have to be necessary for that aspect of aid distribution to be independent. For example, if aid can be transported without interference, then that would mean the transportation part of aid distribution is independent of Israel. My first subpoint would establish how the freedom to get aid from place to place is crucial to its distribution. My second would either confirm or deny its relation to Israel.

Repeat this three times and boom! You’re done and you’ve successfully answered a yes/no question with your own spin on it. Try out different subpoints when answering this question or challenge yourself with prepping both a yes and a no answer. Good luck this week, extempers!