Humanitarian Aid Delivery in Gaza Faces Grave Threats from Looting Amid Ongoing Crisis
Looting in Gaza is posing a severe threat to the delivery of humanitarian aid, as evidenced by a violent attack on a convoy of over 100 trucks laden with food last weekend. This incident, described by the UN agency for Palestine refugees (UNRWA) as the worst since the onset of the war, highlights the disintegration of law and order amidst Israel's military offensive and the escalating challenges faced in the face of a rapidly deteriorating humanitarian crisis.
According to Stéphane Dujarric, spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General, the convoy was forced to change its schedule at the behest of the Israeli military, leaving a day earlier under uncertain circumstances. The attack occurred shortly after the trucks entered southern Gaza, with around 97 of them stopped at gunpoint, and their drivers coerced into unloading the aid supplies. The whereabouts of these drivers remain unknown, with only 11 trucks successfully reaching a central warehouse in Gaza.
UNRWA has condemned the Israeli authorities for their failure to ensure the secure delivery of humanitarian aid, emphasizing that international law mandates the protection of aid meant for civilians. The organization argues that this obligation remains valid until the aid is received by the intended beneficiaries.
The attack is particularly troubling as it took place near the Karem Abu Salem border crossing, the primary entry point for humanitarian aid into Gaza, which has mainly been controlled by the Israeli army. It has been reported that much of the looting occurs in this region, despite claims from Israel suggesting that Hamas is responsible for such actions, which lack substantial evidence. The dire shortages of basic supplies caused by Israeli blockades have fostered an environment ripe for looting and exploitation.
In October, the number of humanitarian aid trucks entering Gaza dropped significantly—by around 75% compared to pre-war levels—compounding the already critical situation. Dujarric pointed out that recent Israeli measures, including the opening of a new border crossing, have yet to ameliorate the situation due to persistent security complications.
With limited volunteer truck drivers willing to risk their safety in light of rampant looting, UNRWA warned that without urgent intervention, food shortages will intensify, jeopardizing the survival of the two million individuals dependent on aid. The crisis is especially acute in northern Gaza, where conditions indicative of famine may already be emerging under the ongoing Israeli siege.
In a response to the escalating looting, the Gazan Interior Ministry announced recent operations that allegedly resulted in over 20 individuals being killed in actions targeting gangs responsible for the theft of humanitarian aid. However, there are still concerns regarding the Interior Ministry's abilities to tackle the growing challenge, especially as the current law enforcement landscape has deteriorated due to the Israeli military offensive, further exacerbating the vacuum that allows organized crime to thrive.
Humanitarian agencies have asserted that a substantial increase in aid flows will only be feasible once a functional police force is established—an initiative thus far resisted by Israeli authorities. This reality brings to light critical questions about the operational priorities of the Israeli army, particularly in areas where organized crime is on the rise.
With the current situation signaling a troubling decline in humanitarian access, experts warn that the cycle of violence and lawlessness only serves to deepen the crisis within Gaza, necessitating substantial international attention and intervention.
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