UNRWA Halts Aid Deliveries as Armed Gangs Loot Trucks in Gaza

The dire humanitarian crisis in Gaza continues to escalate as reports from international and relief organizations reveal alarming developments. Allegations suggest that the Israeli army may be “turning a blind eye to, or even facilitating,” armed gangs looting humanitarian aid trucks in areas under its control. These incidents have compounded the already devastating situation for Gaza’s population, with some speculating that such actions are part of a broader strategy to starve the region’s residents into submission.

The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), the largest provider of aid to Palestinians, has suspended the entry of humanitarian aid through the Kerem Shalom crossing due to growing security threats. Philippe Lazzarini, the agency’s head, disclosed that armed gangs looted two aid convoys near the crossing, leaving aid workers vulnerable. Louise Wateridge, a senior emergency officer at UNRWA, described the decision to halt operations as excruciating but necessary after repeated attacks, beatings, and even killings of truck drivers.

The suspension of aid delivery has had a ripple effect on Gaza’s already crumbling infrastructure. Food scarcity has reached critical levels, with many families unable to secure even a single meal a day. Nawal Juha, a widow and mother of over ten children, recounted the agony of trying to feed her family amidst closed bakeries and dwindling supplies of essentials like flour, rice, and pasta. Her testimony paints a grim picture of life in the region, where hunger has taken a stranglehold.

The situation has been exacerbated by the closure of the few bakeries still operational in southern Gaza due to a lack of flour. This has left more than a million Palestinians facing famine-like conditions. Displaced residents like Hisham Nasrallah spoke of their inability to provide bread or any form of sustenance for their families, underscoring the severe and growing crisis.

While Israel maintains that it is facilitating aid deliveries and blames Hamas for stealing supplies, Hamas has countered by accusing the Israeli army of shielding thieves operating near areas it controls. This mutual blame game only highlights the vulnerability of the civilian population caught in the crossfire of political and military conflicts.

The catastrophic conditions in Gaza are a stark reminder of the urgent need for sustained humanitarian efforts and international accountability. Without immediate intervention, the region teeters on the edge of a full-blown famine and humanitarian collapse. The lives of millions hang in the balance, awaiting decisive action to break the cycle of deprivation and despair.