Aid Denied,Justice Deferred: The Gaza Genocide and the Collapse of Humanitarianism

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to analyze the collapse of the international humanitarian system through the Gaza lens during the Israeli genocidal war that began on October 7, 2023. Despite being one of the most brutal and devastating humanitarian crises in modern history, the global response has been defined by obstruction, delays, and complicity. Drawing on interviews with humanitarian actors and extensive documentary evidence, the article reveals how the intersection of Israeli geopolitical control and the international humanitarian architecture politicized aid efforts, rendering them ineffective and morally compromised. The core principles of humanitarianism and the foundations of international humanitarian law were violated with political impunity. These moral codes were established to safeguard civilians, yet they were repeatedly ignored and trampled on, exposing the international community's inability to enforce them in contexts where power undermines law. The key findings in this article call for the restoration of humanitarianism so that its core purpose can be reinstated: to protect civilians rather than buckle under the pressure of state powers. The author emphasizes the urgent need for international accountability and support to strengthen Gaza's humanitarian system, ensuring its capacity to address immediate needs, promote societal resilience, safeguard community identity, and uphold human rights.