LONDON 

More than 100 humanitarian organizations have called for an end to Israel's "weaponization of aid" amid the ongoing crippling humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip.

Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) around the world have reiterated their concern over the ongoing Israeli blockade of sufficient aid delivery into the besieged Palestinian enclave and called on states to press Israel for an end to "weaponization of aid."

In a joint statement on Wednesday, a total of 104 groups, including Islamic Relief, Oxfam, and Doctors Without Borders (MSF) said that despite Israeli claims, most major international NGOs have been unable to deliver a single truck of lifesaving supplies since March 2.

"Instead of clearing the growing backlog of goods, Israeli authorities have rejected requests from dozens of NGOs to bring in lifesaving goods, citing that these organizations are 'not authorized' to deliver aid."

The statement noted that this obstruction has left millions of dollars' worth of food, medicine, water, and shelter items stranded in warehouses across Jordan and Egypt, while Palestinians are being starved.

"Anera (American Near East Refugee Aid) has over $7 million worth of lifesaving supplies ready to enter Gaza – including 744 tons of rice, enough for 6 million meals, blocked in Ashdod just kilometers away," said Sean Carroll, the organization's president and CEO.

The groups also said the obstruction is tied to new registration rules introduced in March for international non-governmental organizations (INGOs), which led to a denial of registration on the basis of vague and politicized criteria, such as alleged "delegitimization" of the state of Israel.

"This registration process signals to INGOs that their ability to operate may come at the cost of their independence and ability to speak out," Bushra Khalidi, Oxfam policy lead, said in the statement.

Jolien Veldwijk, the country director of the international humanitarian agency CARE, said: "Since the full siege was imposed on 2 March, CARE has not been able to deliver any of our $1.5 million worth of pre-positioned supplies into Gaza."

"We call on all states and donors to press Israel to end the weaponization of aid, including through bureaucratic obstruction, such as the INGO registration procedures," added the statement.

The groups also called on the international community to insist that INGOs are not forced to share sensitive personal information, in violation of the General Data Protection Regulation, or compromise staff safety or independence as a condition for delivering aid.

The statement also demanded the immediate and unconditional opening of all land crossings and conditions for the delivery of lifesaving humanitarian aid.