UN suspends aid deliveries through main Gaza crossing amid increasing violence
Humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip has been suspended by the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, Unrwa, following alarming incidents of robbery and violence against aid convoys. This significant decision stems from concerns over security at the Kerem Shalom crossing, the primary route for humanitarian supplies to Gaza, which has seen looting by armed gangs.
Philippe Lazzarini, the head of Unrwa, described the situation as dire, stating, "The road away from the crossing has not been safe for months." The escalation of armed assaults on aid vehicles has made the delivery of necessary supplies increasingly perilous. Recent weeks have witnessed several violent thefts, culminating on November 16, when armed assailants attacked a convoy carrying food, managing to steal 97 out of 109 trucks intended for the region.
During this alarming incident, armed men reportedly held drivers at gunpoint, showcasing the brazen nature of these attacks. A notorious criminal family from Gaza has been implicated, having erected barriers and used firearms to block routes for aid distribution. Aid workers have highlighted the significant challenge posed by these groups, which have grown bolder perhaps sensing gaps left by the authorities.
"The delivery of humanitarian aid must never be dangerous or turn it to an ordeal," Lazzarini emphasized, urging Israel to take responsibility for ensuring the safety of aid workers and the flow of supplies. He is alarmed by the worsening conditions, especially as winter brings additional threats of hunger and exposure to the elements for many displaced Palestinians residing in precarious tent camps.
The situation complicates matters for residents of the Gaza Strip, who are already facing extreme hardship. With the loss of this primary route, the humanitarian crisis is poised to deepen. At least 2.3 million residents are heavily reliant on supplies from aid organizations. The UN has previously warned of impending famine, particularly affecting northern Gaza, where access has been severely restricted due to conflict and military operations.
Israel contests the UN's assertions, claiming to facilitate significant aid flows and accusing groups like Hamas of hijacking and misappropriating supplies. The Israeli response to Unrwa's announcement noted existing alternative avenues for aid delivery, insisting they are working with various NGOs to keep funnels of aid open to those most affected.
Previous efforts to maintain aid delivery faced immense pressure, with Israeli officials stating they provide sufficient food and other necessities for civilians, disavowing claims of insufficient aid and questioning the transparency of the distribution networks operated by organizations like Unrwa.
Despite these efforts, Lazzarini's comments place much of the responsibility for the breakdown of humanitarian access squarely on Israeli policies, criticizing their restrictions on the amount of aid permissible. The UN's Integrated Food Security Phase Classification warned last month of the lowest levels of aid entering Gaza since the onset of conflict, underscoring the urgent need for concerted international action to mitigate the crisis.
With the onset of cold, rainy winter weather, conditions for Gaza's vulnerable population appear bleak. Mainstream aid delivery has been obstructed by violence, and the resultant fallout from the looting incidents raises dismal prospects for the immediate future. Lazzarini stated, "Immediate action is required from all actors who are directly taking part or have influence on the conduct of this crisis to avert catastrophe. If this situation continues, we may be staring famine right down the barrel."
The backdrop includes stark reports from medical facilities detailing the outcomes of continued Israeli military operations against Hamas, with civilian casualties increasingly being reported daily. Just recently, strikes have claimed the lives of innocents, including young children, igniting anger and devastation within the community.
The UN's call for urgent international intervention resonates amid increasing frustrations felt by humanitarian workers trying to deliver aid. The gauntlet of violence faced on the ground is perceived as exacerbated by political negotiations and decisions made behind closed doors, which affect the everyday lives of ordinary Palestinians desperately hoping for relief.
