Keeping aid moving in war-torn Gaza

When war fractures daily life, humanitarian logistics becomes the invisible lifeline that determines whether civilians have food, hospitals have electricity, and families can survive another day. Nowhere is this more evident than in Gaza, where conflict has turned the delivery of humanitarian aid into one of the most complex logistical challenges in the world.

In humanitarian crises, speed and access are paramount. Yet in Gaza, both are hostage to an array of bottlenecks: restricted border crossings, unpredictable clearance processes, scarce storage facilities, and dangers faced by aid workers themselves. For logistics coordinators on the ground and their partners abroad, every convoy that makes it across is the result of painstaking planning, delicate negotiations, and extraordinary persistence.

Border crossings and bureaucratic hurdles
Unlike many other crisis-hit regions, Gaza presents a uniquely layered system of approvals and restrictions. Humanitarian organizations must secure specific UN2720 permits and navigate the Israeli authority’s regulations and preferences for how aid is routed.

Humanitarian group Airlink says one of the toughest challenges is simply getting aid across the border and into Gaza. While the need on the ground is undeniable, the process is unusually lengthy compared to other crisis zones. Aid shipments require specific UN2720 permits and must comply with the Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT’s) preferences for how relief enters Israel, a bottleneck that slows the flow of urgent supplies.

Delays are not simply administrative inconveniences. Each day of waiting increases costs and risks. Humanitarian cargo, whether food, medical supplies, or trauma kits, is procured for urgent needs. Warehousing prolongs storage fees, risks expiration, and ties up capital that could otherwise be deployed for new relief operations.

Human cost of delays
Behind the logistics lies a sobering reality: delayed aid translates into lives lost or prolonged suffering. Hospitals depend on timely deliveries of fuel, medical equipment, and pharmaceuticals. Families rely on food parcels and clean water distribution. And aid organizations themselves are increasingly vulnerable.

Airlink notes that humanitarian aid workers face unprecedented levels of danger. In March 2025, new registration requirements announced by the Israeli government added further uncertainty. Without compliance, credible NGOs risk losing their ability to operate in Gaza entirely. A grace period runs through early September, but many agencies fear they may soon be forced to halt operations altogether.

These compounded risks make the role of humanitarian logisticians more critical and more perilous than ever.

Bottlenecks in motion
Even when aid is ready to move, bottlenecks at the borders remain formidable. Trucks can wait days or weeks for approval to cross. Professionals from doctors to logistics volunteers, face similar uncertainty with visa approvals, which are often delayed or sporadic.

Planning becomes a moving target. Humanitarian groups attempt to remain flexible, prepositioning resources and personnel so that they can deploy the moment approvals are granted. But in practice, this means mounting costs, idle workers, and stockpiles of aid waiting just out of reach of those who need it most.

One example Airlink highlights is its support for displaced Palestinian populations outside of Gaza, where aid delivery is more consistent. Food parcels, trauma kits, eyeglasses, and prosthetics have been delivered in partnership with local organizations. Doctors and medical teams have been dispatched to nearby areas to treat those who managed to cross the border for care.

During a temporary ceasefire in February 2025, Airlink also facilitated an airbridge operation that successfully moved aid into Gaza. Such windows of opportunity, though rare and fleeting, underscore the vital role logistics plays when political or military conditions briefly shift.

The role of partnerships
Humanitarian logistics in Gaza are not carried out in isolation. It requires a patchwork of international NGOs, local partners, and private-sector logistics providers working in tandem. CEVA Logistics, for example, has been engaged to lend its global freight forwarding expertise to humanitarian operations. The World Food Programme (WFP) remains one of the largest and most critical players in coordinating food distribution under strained conditions.

These partnerships are not just about moving boxes. They represent the shared responsibility of governments, civil society, and the private sector to keep aid flowing despite formidable obstacles. The integration of commercial logistics expertise has been particularly vital, bringing efficiency and scalability to humanitarian supply chains that are otherwise overstretched.

Raising awareness, unlocking support
For humanitarian organizations, delivering aid is only half the battle. Equally important is ensuring the world does not look away. Steve Smith, President & CEO of Airlink, emphasizes the need for awareness as a catalyst for resources and partnerships.

“Airlink leverages opportunities across platforms with wide audiences -- online, events, and in public spaces -- to share and inform others of the need in Gaza and the immense efforts our humanitarian and airline partners dedicate to the region. In speaking about our work and our expertise, we uplift the collaborative commitment we make together.

The more people who are aware, the more action will follow. We strive to do more, and in showcasing our work, we aim to inspire others to join us on our mission.”

This dual approach, operational and advocacy, is what sustains humanitarian supply chains over the long term. By spotlighting both the logistical challenges and the human stakes, organizations like Airlink aim to mobilize governments, donors, and the public to support relief efforts.

Logistics as the invisible frontline
Gaza’s humanitarian crisis illustrates a broader truth: in war zones, logistics is not a background function. It is the frontline of survival. The success of humanitarian response depends not only on the generosity of donors or the bravery of aid workers, but also on the precision of the logisticians who ensure resources cross borders, clear customs, and reach their final destination.

Wars and blockades will continue to test the world’s ability to move aid where it is needed most. Gaza has revealed how fragile these supply lines can be, but also how resilient. Through persistence, adaptation, and cooperation across borders, the humanitarian lifeline remains intact, even under extraordinary pressure.