UN Halts Aid Deliveries to Gaza Amid Security Concerns

The suspension comes as armed gangs hamper aid deliveries, raising alarms over worsening humanitarian crises in Gaza.

The United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), responsible for providing vital humanitarian assistance to Palestinians, announced a suspension of aid deliveries through the Kerem Shalom crossing, the primary route for delivering aid to Gaza. Philippe Lazzarini, head of UNRWA, cited security concerns as the primary reason, following a series of violent thefts by armed groups near the crossing.

Lazzarini condemned the looting incidents, which included a particularly alarming event on November 16th, where armed men confiscated 97 of 109 food-laden lorries at gunpoint. He called for Israel to ensure that law and order is maintained in the region to facilitate safe aid deliveries. Israel has historically claimed to enable aid passage into Gaza while accusing Hamas of diverting and misappropriating these resources.

The situation at the Kerem Shalom crossing has deteriorated significantly, with armed gangs becoming the main impediment to humanitarian aid distribution. With over two million people in Gaza facing a dire humanitarian crisis, UN reports indicate that the region is perilously close to famine. Lazzarini emphasized that conditions on the road away from the crossing have made it increasingly unsafe for aid workers, with five additional lorries stolen just recently.

The current crisis has been exacerbated by escalating violence, including an Israeli airstrike that led to the death of three workers from World Central Kitchen (WCK), which provides food aid in Gaza. Israel defended the strike, asserting it targeted a WCK employee linked to the October 7 attacks.

In response to the situation, Lazzarini stressed that the responsibility to ensure safety for aid workers rests with Israel. He urged the Israeli government to facilitate a secure flow of humanitarian aid, asserting, "The delivery of humanitarian aid must never be dangerous or turn into an ordeal."

Despite international pressure, the aid flow remains insufficient. Earlier statements from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu noted that the government allowed the entry of food sufficient for more than 3,000 daily calories for each Gazan. However, a subsequent UN review indicated that aid shipments have declined, suggesting an alarming humanitarian crisis could deepen if immediate actions are not taken to avert famine in Gaza.

The aid suspension raises concerns about how this will further impact the humanitarian landscape in Gaza as tensions remain high following ongoing violence. As calls for increased aid and a ceasefire grow louder, the need for immediate dialogue between the parties involved becomes ever more pressing.