COGAT blocks Italian charity's 250-ton Gaza aid shipment via Jordan

Israel has blocked a 250-ton shipment of humanitarian aid for Gaza organised by the Italian charity Music for Peace, for alleged "serious concerns" over the "contents and accreditation" of the organisation.

The NGO said the shipment, containing food, medical supplies, and educational materials, was intended to be transported via Jordan after its original plan to reach Gaza by sea was halted when Israel intercepted the Global Sumud Flotilla last month.

The flotilla, involving dozens of vessels from several countries, had attempted to break Israel’s naval blockade on Gaza but was stopped by the Israeli navy before reaching the enclave. About 40 tons of the Italian charity’s cargo was onboard those ships.

The remaining 250 tons have been stranded in the Italian port of Genoa for nearly four weeks.

"They told us that with a few phone calls, in three hours, the aid would have been in. Well, we’ve been trying for four weeks, and the end result is that we have been refused," said Music for Peace founder Stefano Rebora during a press conference in Rome.

Dispute over aid content 

Rebora said Israeli authorities had requested the removal of "high-energy food products" including biscuits and honey from the aid shipment, a demand his organisation refused to meet. He also cited disputes over the registration and accreditation of the NGO and its local partner organisations operating in Jordan.

Speaking before the Italian parliament, Rebora said: "We collected these supplies with the help of thousands of volunteers. It’s unacceptable that humanitarian assistance is being blocked over bureaucratic excuses."

The Israeli military body responsible for coordinating civilian affairs in the occupied Palestinian territories, COGAT, denied that it blocks high-energy food products. In a statement, it accused "certain international organisations" of misrepresenting Israeli policy to "falsely portray Israel as obstructing humanitarian aid".

An Israeli military official told Reuters that some organisations had refused to comply with security registration procedures.

Hamas has rejected Israel’s claims that it diverts or interferes with humanitarian supplies, accusing Tel Aviv of weaponising aid restrictions as a means of collective punishment.

The standoff comes as Israel and Hamas agreed on the first phase of a US-brokered ceasefire and hostage-exchange deal on Thursday. The agreement includes commitments to allow the daily entry of at least 400 trucks of aid into Gaza, alongside Israel’s partial military withdrawal.

Humanitarian agencies have long warned that Gaza faces catastrophic shortages of food, water, and medical supplies.

According to the UN, over 2 million Palestinians remain in urgent need of assistance after two years of war and a near-total blockade.

The Italian NGO said it would continue pressing for approval to deliver the remaining cargo through Jordan "as soon as possible".

"This aid belongs to the people of Gaza. Every day of delay means more lives at risk," Rebora said.