UN Halts Aid Deliveries at Key Gaza Crossing Amid Rising Instability

The ongoing violence and theft involving aid convoys threaten humanitarian efforts in Gaza, raising alarms about the looming famine faced by its residents.

The United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) has declared a suspension of aid deliveries through the Kerem Shalom crossing, a vital corridor for humanitarian assistance into Gaza, citing severe security threats as the primary cause. Philippe Lazzarini, the head of UNRWA, indicated that recent incidents of armed gangs looting aid convoys have made this route increasingly hazardous for humanitarian workers. He emphasized the urgent need for Israel to restore law and order in the area so that much-needed aid can reach the more than two million people residing in Gaza.

Kerem Shalom has been pivotal for aid passage, especially as the UN warns of a potential famine in the region. Notably, an alarming incident occurred on November 16, where 109 lorries laden with food supplies were attacked, leading to the theft of 97 of those vehicles at gunpoint by masked assailants. This wave of violence has been attributed mainly to organized criminal gangs, highlighting a breakdown of governance in the Gaza region, with some armed groups reportedly operating with impunity in areas watched by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF).

Mr. Lazzarini remarked that the road from the crossing has remained "unsafe for months" and noted five additional lorries had been stolen the Saturday prior to the announcement. This suspension follows a tragic event in which three employees from World Central Kitchen (WCK), a charitable organization specializing in food aid, lost their lives during an Israeli military strike, which Israel contended was targeting a WCK employee connected to the October 7 attacks.

In response to the rising tensions, Mr. Lazzarini stated, "The delivery of humanitarian aid must never be dangerous or turn into an ordeal," urging Israel to ensure the safety of aid workers and goods entering Gaza. Although Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu has claimed that the government allows over 3,000 calories worth of food per day per person, he also accused Hamas of misappropriating and selling aid at inflated prices, contributing to the dire humanitarian situation.

Israeli officials, while acknowledging the suspension, stated that numerous other humanitarian organizations continue to operate in Gaza, pledging to boost aid distribution through multiple crossings in response to international pressure. However, a recent review by the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification, which involves the UN and various NGOs, highlighted that aid shipments into Gaza have plummeted to unprecedented lows since the onset of the current conflict in October 2023.

The review warned of an "extremely grave" humanitarian crisis in Gaza and stressed the necessity for immediate collective action from all parties involved in the conflict to prevent an impending catastrophe.