In a shocking incident in southern Gaza on Saturday, nearly 100 aid trucks were looted, marking one of the most severe attacks on humanitarian convoys in recent history. A total of 109 trucks, carrying essential supplies for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) and the World Food Programme (WFP), were attacked as they crossed from the Kerem Shalom border into Gaza. According to UNRWA, 97 of these trucks were “lost” in the looting, and drivers were forced to unload the trucks at gunpoint, resulting in injuries to aid workers and extensive damage to vehicles.
UNRWA has not explicitly identified the perpetrators of the attack but has blamed the breakdown of law and order in Gaza and the approach of Israeli authorities for creating a “dangerous environment.” The agency warned that delivering aid to Gaza has become increasingly challenging, with trucks often delayed, looted, or subjected to escalating attacks. UNRWA’s chief, Philippe Lazzarini, stated that the ability to safeguard convoys had been completely eroded in recent months, a situation that worsened after local capacity for escorting aid convoys was lost.
The incident comes at a time when Gaza is already facing severe shortages of food, medicine, and other essential supplies. According to the United Nations, the worsening situation in Gaza could lead to famine if immediate action is not taken. Many civilians fleeing northern Gaza due to ongoing Israeli military operations have reported chronic food shortages and deaths from hunger. The UN has expressed grave concern over the rising humanitarian crisis, with aid agencies warning that conditions in Gaza are nearing catastrophic levels.
In response to the looting, Hamas-run Al-Aqsa TV reported that Gaza’s security forces had killed more than 20 individuals allegedly involved in looting, although the report did not specifically mention the Saturday incident. The National and Islamic Forces, a coalition of Palestinian groups, supported the actions of Gaza’s security forces, calling the looters “criminal thieves” who threatened the security of Gaza’s citizens by stealing essential aid.
Meanwhile, Israeli airstrikes continue to inflict heavy civilian casualties in Gaza. On Monday, Israeli airstrikes killed at least 50 people, including 17 members of a single family in the northern city of Beit Lahiya. Among the deceased were children, including a newborn who was delivered by a cardiologist father, Hani Badran, whose family members perished in the attack.
The situation in Gaza is further complicated by the deteriorating relationship between Israel and UNRWA. Israel’s parliament has passed a law banning the agency’s operations in Israeli-controlled areas, which is expected to severely restrict UNRWA’s ability to assist Palestinian refugees. This new law mandates that all contact between Israeli officials and UNRWA be severed by the end of January, a move Israel justifies by accusing the agency of having ties with Hamas and spreading anti-Israel sentiments.
Despite these challenges, Israel maintains that it is working tirelessly to deliver aid to Gaza, even as reports indicate that the number of aid trucks entering Gaza is still insufficient to meet the urgent needs of the population. The United States has assessed that Israel is not blocking aid, although it acknowledged that improvements were necessary in the delivery process.
The escalating violence in Gaza, the looting of humanitarian aid, and the ongoing humanitarian crisis underscore the dire need for international intervention to ensure the safety of civilians and the timely delivery of humanitarian assistance.
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The looting of nearly 100 aid trucks in Gaza has raised alarm among international organizations, with UNRWA warning that the breakdown of law and order is severely hindering efforts to deliver critical aid. The incident comes amid worsening food shortages and a humanitarian crisis in Gaza, as Israeli airstrikes continue to claim civilian lives. The international community has called for urgent action to address the escalating situation.
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