WFP Reports Wave of Looting as Hunger Escalates in Gaza Amid Humanitarian Crisis

The World Food Programme has expressed alarm over the deteriorating conditions in Gaza, following a break-in at a food warehouse where desperate crowds took supplies amid gunfire. The recent easing of the blockade has not sufficiently addressed the severe hunger crisis, prompting calls for increased humanitarian aid.

The UN's World Food Programme (WFP) has reported a chaotic scene in central Gaza where "hordes of hungry people" stormed a food supply warehouse, resulting in at least two fatalities and several injuries. The incident occurred at the Al-Ghafari warehouse in Deir Al-Balah, as crowds battled for bags of flour and food while the sound of gunshots echoed. The origins of the gunfire remain unclear.

In a statement, the WFP stressed that humanitarian needs in Gaza had drastically escalated following an Israeli blockade, which had just seen a temporary easing last week. The agency indicated that food supplies had been pre-positioned at the warehouse for distribution and underscored the urgent necessity for increased food assistance to avert starvation among the population.

The WFP's warnings about worsening conditions have been echoed by reports of looting at UN aid trucks and distribution sites throughout Gaza. Israeli authorities reported a delivery of 121 trucks loaded with humanitarian supplies, including food, but criticisms have emerged regarding the effectiveness of these efforts.

The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), a new aid initiative backed by the US and Israel, has been criticized as a move that sidesteps the UN's established distribution channels. The GHF's arrangement involves using private US security contractors to deliver aid, a model the UN argues undermines effective humanitarian assistance and might increase ethical concerns.

The UN Human Rights Office highlighted the injury of 47 individuals when crowds overwhelmed a GHF distribution center in Rafah, raising alarms about the operational feasibility of the GHF.

Moreover, Jonathan Whittall, the head of the UN's humanitarian operations in the occupied Palestinian territories, noted the absence of evidence suggesting that Hamas is implicated in diverting aid, pointing instead to criminal gangs operating near crossing points.

With calls for a more substantial influx of aid akin to previous ceasefire periods, the UN argues that this could help mitigate the desperation leading to looting and enhance the efficiency of their existing distribution networks throughout Gaza. The situation reflects the complexities of humanitarian efforts as conflicts persist in the region, raising concerns over accessibility and legitimate aid distribution.