Gaza Humanitarian Crisis
The humanitarian situation in Gaza, Palestine, worsens due to ongoing conflict. Armed groups have looted aid trucks intended for civilians in Gaza.
Recent reports state that nearly 100 trucks carrying food were stolen on November 16, 2024. This incident marks one of the worst losses of aid during the 13 months of warfare, which has led to severe hunger in the region.
The United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) and the World Food Programme (WFP) confirmed this theft. Louise Wateridge, a senior emergency official at UNRWA, said that the truck convoy, which included 109 trucks, was directed through an unknown route by Israel.
Wateridge noted that 98 out of the 109 trucks were attacked. Some drivers were also injured in the incident. She emphasized the severe challenges in delivering aid to central and southern Gaza.
The urgency of the crisis is critical. Without immediate intervention, food shortages will increase, threatening the lives of over 2 million people relying on humanitarian aid for survival.
A WFP spokesperson echoed Wateridge’s concerns and stated that many routes in Gaza are currently unsafe for aid delivery. An Israeli official claimed that they are trying to improve the humanitarian situation but cited distribution challenges posed by the UN.
A previous UN aid official indicated that access to aid in Gaza has hit a low point. Delivering aid to parts of northern Gaza, heavily surrounded by the Israeli military, is nearly impossible.
