European leaders, aid groups criticize Israeli aid plans for Gaza

European leaders and aid groups have criticized Israeli plans to take over distribution of humanitarian aid in Gaza and use private companies to get food to families after two months in which the military has prevented supplies entering the Strip. For now, the blockade will continue until a large-scale displacement of people from northern and central areas of Gaza to the south, where a specially designated area protected by the Israeli military will be cleared near the southern city of Rafah, Israeli officials have said. Israel has cleared around a third of the territory to create "security zones" and the aid policy, combined with plans for moving much of the population to the south, have reinforced fears that the overall intention is full occupation.