Israel scraps UN aid worker protection in Gaza, hindering relief efforts

Israel has ended its use of the UN-operated Humanitarian Notification Service (HNS) in Gaza, a system that previously coordinated the movements of aid workers to help them avoid attacks. Since the suspension, agencies including Save the Children have drastically scaled back their operations in the region. This decision comes amid escalating security concerns following the breakdown of a ceasefire on March 18, 2025, and over 50,000 Palestinian deaths since then. An incident in which a UN building strike claimed the life of a Bulgarian worker further underscores the increased risks in the conflict zone.

In addition to suspending the HNS, Israeli authorities are planning to assume full control over all humanitarian aid distribution in Gaza. This move has raised serious questions about the effectiveness of aid delivery and the safety of personnel working under these new, more tightly controlled conditions. As Gaza’s 2.2 million residents become increasingly dependent on dwindling supplies, international organizations continue to urge for immediate measures to protect both aid workers and the civilians they serve.