On December 1, 2024, Philippe Lazzarini, the head of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), announced the suspension of humanitarian aid deliveries through the Karem Abu Salem crossing between Israel and Gaza. This decision stems from grave security concerns linked to armed gangs' activities, including the looting of aid convoys.
The Karem Abu Salem crossing has long served as the main supply route for humanitarian aid destined for the Palestinian territory, but the road has faced growing insecurity. "The road out of this crossing has not been safe for months," Lazzarini stated, adding, "On November 16, armed gangs stole a large convoy of aid trucks. Just yesterday, we attempted to bring in more food trucks, but they were all taken." He underscored the increasing peril as hunger levels continue to rise sharply among the beleaguered population.
UNRWA has reported significant challenges since the onset of the conflict, particularly since October 2023, when the scale of violence escalated dramatically. Lazzarini explained how the humanitarian operation has become increasingly untenable due to the prolonged siege faced by Gaza, political restrictions imposed by Israeli authorities, inadequate safety on aid routes, and the targeting of local police. "The delivery of humanitarian aid must never be dangerous or turn deadly," he insisted. He emphasized Israel's responsibility as the occupying power to secure the safe passage of aid to those desperately needing it.
The security situation has steadily deteriorated to the point where, according to UNRWA, out of 91 attempts to deliver aid to northern Gaza between October and late November, 82 were denied and nine impeded. Lazzarini’s pronouncement highlights the cascading impacts of the Israeli siege on Gaza which has resulted not merely from military action but from broader geopolitical maneuvers.
Since the onset of the war, Israel has faced accusations of utilizing hunger as a weapon against the Gazan population, implementing effective blockades on food, medicine, and basic supplies. Recent estimates from local health authorities put the death toll at over 44,000 Palestinians, largely due to relentless Israeli bombardments, with major hospitals being overwhelmed as health services crumble under the strain.
The nightly airstrikes continued, with many Palestinians left without basic necessity or support. Just prior to UNRWA's announcement, nearly 100 individuals were reported killed due to the bombardments, underlining the urgency of providing aid to civilians caught up in the conflict.
On the frontline, disputes among armed groups have also escalated. An alarming issue has arisen with armed gangs conducting organized thefts of humanitarian supplies – typically intended for the struggling local populace – selling them for exorbitant prices. Although Hamas's Interior Ministry has acted against these gangs, reports have emerged of the gangs benefiting from veiled protection by Israeli forces, leading many to question the effectiveness of the efforts to administer aid.
Lazzarini contended, "The looting and resultant unpredictability have pushed many to desperation, often leading to criminal acts." Continued attacks on aid convoys have prompted many humanitarian organizations to cease operations entirely or limit their activities, increasing already dire conditions.
The dire need for humanitarian assistance has pushed the Palestinian people, already suffering the repercussions of the war, to the brink of survival. Reports from non-governmental organizations corroborate testimonies from humanitarian workers, indicating routine attacks on known aid workers' locations, with the UN documenting 333 aid worker fatalities since the conflict's escalation.
The head of operations for World Central Kitchen, which provides meals to those affected by the war, stated they had to pause their operations after three of their workers were killed due to Israeli strikes. The situation has sparked outrage and heartache, as families and children confront the repercussions of these relentless attacks.
By halting operations at such a pivotal juncture, Lazzarini called on the international community and particularly on the Israeli government to reassess its tactics. He urged for mechanisms ensuring aid could flow without jeopardy, emphasizing the rights of humanitarian workers to operate unhindered during times of conflict.
Loader for more: UNRWA’s announcement emerged on the same day after Israeli military operations targeted areas known to be humanitarian routes, reinforcing fears about the fate of remaining aid operations and the civilian population.
On the international stage, pressure mounts for greater accountability and protective measures for humanitarian actions on the ground. Calls from various humanitarian organizations and international bodies highlight the urgent need for immediate intervention to prevent mass starvation and allow aid organizations to operate freely to meet the needs of the impoverished citizens of Gaza desperately needing assistance.
The situation remains fluid, with ceasefire negotiations yielding little progress against the backdrop of relentless violence. Key stakeholders, including Egypt and Qatar, continue to push for peace talks, framed around humanitarian access and the hostage crisis, yet uncertainty reigns over whether meaningful conditions to secure lasting peace will hold.
Both UNRWA and the World Health Organization remain vigilant, seeking to adapt to the rapidly changing environment and the restrictions placed upon them, aiming to rejuvenate the dialogue around humanitarian law and the rights of civilians within combat zones and to hold improvised groups accountable for looting supplies meant for the vulnerable.
With no end to the violence in sight, the suspension of aid delivery through Karem Abu Salem serves as yet another stark reminder of the deepening humanitarian crisis faced by Palestinian people. The courageous efforts of humanitarian workers on the ground must be safeguarded to allow for the basic molecules of human rights — food, shelter, and dignity — to be rendered accessible once more.
