A UN official, Jamie McGoldrick, has drawn attention to the Israeli military’s lack of understanding of humanitarian operations. McGoldrick, who is the UN Humanitarian Coordinator in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, stressed the importance of improving the “degree of mistrust” between the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) operating in Gaza. He expressed concern over the safety of humanitarian workers following the deadly Israeli strike on April 1 that killed seven workers from the nonprofit organization World Central Kitchen. McGoldrick also mentioned other incidents that have further increased fears among humanitarian workers, including an attack on a UNICEF convoy.
McGoldrick stated that the IDF’s inexperience in working with humanitarian organizers in such environments has contributed to the existing mistrust and misunderstanding. He emphasized that the IDF does not comprehend the functioning and purpose of humanitarian organizations, including their language and operations. To address these issues, McGoldrick called for efforts to bridge the gap between the IDF and NGOs, emphasizing the importance of dialogue and understanding.
During his visit to Gaza, McGoldrick met with the head of the IDF Southern Command, Maj. Gen. Yaron Finkelman, to discuss various concerns. These included interactions between Israeli soldiers and NGOs, the need for improved weapons discipline, and clearer markings on NGO-affiliated vehicles. Additionally, McGoldrick highlighted the dangers posed by inadequate communication infrastructure within Gaza, which further complicates humanitarian operations. McGoldrick’s remarks have prompted CNN to reach out to the IDF for their response to these concerns.
