Honestly, if you look at the headlines from the last few months, you'd think the October 2025 ceasefire solved everything. It didn’t. While the "famine" labels have officially been pushed back in some reports, the reality on the ground in early 2026 is still a mess of empty plates and bureaucracy.
People always ask the same question: Who is blocking food to Gaza? It’s a simple question with a tangled, frustrating answer.
It isn't just one guy standing at a gate saying "no." It's a mix of government policy, radical protesters, and a "dual-use" list that feels like it was written by someone who has never tried to feed a million people in a tent city.
The Government Gatekeepers
The primary entity controlling the flow is the Israeli government, specifically through an agency called COGAT (Coordination of Government Activities in the Territories). They decide what goes in, how much, and when.
Even with the ceasefire, the "dual-use" list is the silent killer of aid efficiency. You've heard of weapons being banned, which makes sense, but did you know tent poles and generators are often on that list?
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In January 2026, reports surfaced that humanitarian groups were being blocked from bringing in frozen beef and mutton. Why? Because the authorities decided only chicken was an "urgent humanitarian need." Meanwhile, private commercial traders—who can charge whatever they want—were allowed to bring in the steak.
It’s a parallel system. It basically forces aid groups to buy expensive food from local markets that was brought in by private companies, rather than using the donated food sitting in trucks just across the border.
The Deregistered 37
Things took a weird turn at the end of December 2025. The Israeli government introduced new registration rules that basically banned 37 international NGOs from working in Gaza.
Big names. We're talking about the American Friends Service Committee and even groups like Doctors Without Borders facing major hurdles.
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If you aren't registered, you can't get your staff in. If your staff isn't there, the food doesn't move. Senator Ron Wyden recently introduced the AWARE Act in the U.S. Senate to address this, specifically targeting officials who use administrative red tape to choke off relief.
Protesters and "Tsav 9"
Then you have the people on the road. For over two years now, groups like "Tsav 9" and "Warrior Mothers" have been physically blocking the Kerem Shalom and Nitzana crossings.
They aren't the government, but they've been incredibly effective.
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They argue that no aid should go in until every hostage is home. It’s an emotional, high-stakes standoff. On some days, they’ve managed to turn back dozens of trucks. While the Israeli police sometimes move them with horses and arrests, there are plenty of days where the trucks just sit there, engines idling, while the food inside gets closer to its expiration date.
The Logistics of a War Zone
Even when a truck clears the border, it’s not home free. Gaza is basically a series of "Yellow Lines" and militarized zones right now.
- Damaged Roads: The infrastructure is trashed. You can't drive a 20-ton semi-truck over a cratered dirt path easily.
- Fuel Shortages: No fuel, no trucks. It’s that simple.
- Internal Security: Looting became a huge issue in late 2025. When people are starving, they don't wait for a formal distribution line. They take what they can.
UNICEF reported that since the October ceasefire, about 100 children have died in Gaza—many from causes linked to the lack of specialized nutrition and medical supplies that are still being held up at the crossings.
The Bottom Line
So, who is blocking food to Gaza?
It’s the Israeli government’s restrictive "dual-use" lists and NGO bans. It’s the protesters at the Kerem Shalom crossing. It’s the lack of safe corridors for trucks to move once they actually get inside the Strip.
Despite the "record levels" of aid claimed by some politicians, the UN OCHA reports from mid-January 2026 show that while there is enough food to meet "minimum caloric needs," the quality and accessibility are still in the basement.
What you can do now:
- Track the Data: Check the UN’s "2720 Mechanism" dashboard. It’s the most accurate way to see how many pallets actually crossed the border yesterday versus what was promised.
- Monitor the AWARE Act: If you're in the U.S., keep an eye on Senator Wyden's legislation. It's the first major attempt to put a legal price tag on aid obstruction.
- Support Local Distribution: Large international groups are struggling with registration. Smaller, local Palestinian NGOs often have better "last mile" delivery capabilities despite the blockades.