In a revealing disclosure to Middle East Eye, an international charity, whose identity remains undisclosed for fears of jeopardizing its relief missions, has accused Egypt of exploiting the humanitarian crisis in Gaza for financial gain.
The charity alleges that it has been compelled to pay a staggering $5,000 per truck as a “management fee” to a company associated with Egypt’s General Intelligence Service (GIS) to facilitate aid delivery into Gaza.
The controversial fee is reportedly in connection to a company affiliated with the Organi Group, owned by Sinai businessman Ibrahim al-Organi. This group is tied to the Sons of Sinai, a construction and contracting firm emerging as a profitable gateway for aid and exit permits out of the besieged Gaza Strip.
The charges of profiteering come amid a backdrop of desperate need within Gaza, heightened by continuous conflict and blocked aid routes. The charity’s spokesman condemned the extortionate practices, expressing dismay over a state profiting from the dispatch of humanitarian aid and emphasizing the unique and disheartening nature of this encounter compared to their global relief experience.
Further investigations by the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP) and Saheeh Masr unearthed a lucrative market for “fast-track” permits, operated by intermediaries for prices soaring up to $10,000. These developments point towards systematic exploitation of those seeking refuge from the violence in Gaza and those endeavoring to support the afflicted population.
The allegations extend to the Organi Group benefiting from the sale of these expedited crossings, with affiliated companies notably charging up to $9,000 per truck for commercial traffic, starkly contrasting the nominal $300 load fare.
While the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) has stated it is not subjected to these fees for aid transfer, the charity’s testimony offers the first concrete evidence implicating Egyptian or Egypt-linked entities in profiting from the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza.
The charity’s revelations prompt further scrutiny of Egypt’s role and the broader ethics of profiting from crisis-driven operations. The long-standing “fast-track” system, previously a quiet arrangement, has evidently evolved into a booming market exploiting the urgency and despair of those affected by the conflict.
Egyptian officials have previously denied involvement in such practices. In response to accusations of profiteering at the Rafah border, Egypt’s State Information Service, led by Diaa Rashwan, denied imposing additional fees on Palestinians crossing. However, these recent allegations cast a shadow over Egypt’s denials and raise questions about the integrity of the support being offered to Gaza’s residents.
This exclusive report exposes a disturbing aspect of the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where the exploitation of aid and escape routes by profiteers exacerbates the suffering of those caught in the conflict.
The international community and organizations involved in relief efforts face a daunting challenge in navigating these complexities to ensure that aid reaches those in desperate need without succumbing to exploitative demands.
