The shrinking humanitarian space and declining security of humanitarian aid workers in modern conflicts. Gaza as a case study

Abstract

The safety of humanitarian aid workers has deteriorated significantly in contemporary armed conflicts despite the protections afforded under international humanitarian law. This thesis examines why humanitarian personnel are increasingly exposed to violence by addressing the research question: Why is the safety of humanitarian aid workers declining in modern conflicts? Using the situation in Gaza as an illustrative case study, the research explores structural, political and operational factors contributing to this trend. The thesis employs a qualitative case study methodology based on document analysis of academic literature, reports from humanitarian organizations, United Nations publications and legal sources. The analysis examines developments affecting humanitarian action, inducing shrinking humanitarian space, restrictions on humanitarian access, politization of aid, declining respect for international humanitarian law and humanitarian principles, cuts in funding for humanitarian assistance, and the targeted diffusion of disinformation and misinformation. The findings demonstrate that the declining of safety for humanitarian aid workers is not based on a single cause, but is due to an array of interconnected variables. In Gaza, humanitarian access has become increasingly restricted, as humanitarian assistance has become entangled in military and political objectives. Humanitarian organizations are facing operational and security challenges in an area impacted by weakened accountability. The thesis concludes that reversing this trend requires commitment to humanitarian principles, stronger protection of humanitarian access, greater accountability for violations of international humanitarian law, sustainable funding and fuel narratives promoting trust in humanitarian organizations.