Ibrahim al-Organi controls truck entry into Gaza, charging exorbitant fees that hinder aid delivery. His firms, Sons of Sinai and Golden Eagle, dominate the logistics, sidelining the Egyptian Red Crescent. Despite attempts to increase truck entries for humanitarian aid, much of the cargo remains non-essential, exacerbating the critical needs of the Gaza population.
Ibrahim al-Organi, an Egyptian tribal leader and businessman, continues to exert significant control over the entry of aid and commercial trucks into Gaza following the ceasefire on January 19. Reports indicate that both commercial and aid trucks face substantial fees, with commercial trucks charged upwards of $20,000 to gain entry, which complicates efforts to deliver assistance effectively. Organi’s operation is noted for its profit-driven model amidst the ongoing Gaza blockade, significantly affecting the costs for those trying to provide aid or escape the conflict.
Organi, aligned with Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, has leveraged the chaos of the blockade to generate substantial personal profits. Previously, he was reported to make around $2 million each day from Palestinians using the border crossing to exit Gaza. His firms, Sons of Sinai and Golden Eagle, have usurped aid delivery operations initially meant for the Egyptian Red Crescent, leading to an environment ripe for corruption and bribery with payments favoring certain trucks over others.
In the wake of the October 2023 escalation, the need for urgent humanitarian aid has soared. It is estimated that Gaza requires at least 500 trucks daily to meet the needs of its 2.3 million residents. However, following the conflict, the volume of aid entering Gaza has significantly decreased, and reports indicate that aid delivered is inadequate in quantity and relevance, undermining the relief efforts.
Following the ceasefire, negotiations allowed for 600 trucks a day initially, yet many trucks queued at the border faced delays. Although Israel recently authorized the entry of over 801 trucks, the types of goods being delivered are often unnecessary or inadequate, failing to cater to critical needs such as food and medical supplies.
The dire humanitarian situation for those in Gaza remains critical, with a particular deficit in essential items needed for winter shelter. Additionally, an influx of non-essential goods has been noted, including luxury items, instead of vital supplies like food and medical aid. The situation highlights systemic issues in aid distribution and necessity prioritization.
Despite a slowdown in Organi’s profits from evacuating travelers following border closures, he continues to impose unofficial fees of up to $60,000 on commercial trucks. These fees have impacted local prices, straining the financial capacity of Gaza’s residents amid an already challenging economic landscape, reflecting the monopolistic influence of Organi’s companies on the border economy.
As the aid landscape continues to unfold, the role of Organi’s affiliated companies in transportation and logistics creates a significant barrier to equitable and effective distribution of goods. Updates have indicated that critical supplies, particularly in construction and medical fields, are urgently needed to address the extensive damage and health crises emerging from the conflict, yet remain slow to enter through the tightly controlled border crossings.
The situation at the Gaza-Egypt border remains critical, with rampant corruption and monopolistic practices by Ibrahim al-Organi and his firms significantly hindering aid efforts. Despite recent allowances for truck entry, the vast majority of cargo remains misaligned with the urgent humanitarian needs of the Gaza population. Immediate reforms and oversight are crucial to ensure essential supplies reach those in dire need.
Original Source: www.middleeasteye.net
