UNRWA Halts Aid Delivery to Gaza Due to Safety Fears
GAZA: The Crisis Deepens
The United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA, has halted the delivery of aid through the key Kerem Shalom crossing between Israel and Gaza due to safety fears. According to UNRWA head Philippe Lazzarini, the road out of this crossing has not been safe for months, with a large convoy of aid trucks stolen by armed gangs on November 16.
Aid Trucks Stolen, Hunger Deepens
Lazzarini warned that hunger is "rapidly deepening" in Gaza, and that the humanitarian operation has become "unnecessarily impossible." The UN said on Friday that Gaza has descended into anarchy, with hunger soaring, looting rampant, and rising numbers of rapes in shelters as public order falls apart.
Israel’s Response
Israel, which imposed a total siege of the Hamas-ruled territory after the October 7, 2023 Hamas attacks, claims that relief organizations cannot distribute large quantities of aid. According to the Israeli defence ministry agency responsible for civilian affairs in the Palestinian territories, COGAT, only 7% of the aid that came into the Gaza Strip in November was coordinated by UNRWA.
Ceasefire Calls
Lazzarini also called on Israel to refrain from attacks on humanitarian workers, following an Israeli strike that killed three contractors of the US charity World Central Kitchen, including one who Israel’s military said was involved in October 7. Save the Children later said a strike killed one of its staff members, the second employee to be killed since the war began last October.
Catastrophic Situation
Save the Children’s head of humanitarian policy and advocacy, Alexandra Saieh, echoed Lazzarini’s demands, saying that aid must flow into Gaza safely and attacks on humanitarian workers must end. The UN last month said 333 aid workers had been killed since the war began, including 243 UNRWA employees.
Conclusion
The situation in Gaza is catastrophic, with aid supplies unable to reach those in need. The UNRWA’s announcement to halt aid delivery is a desperate measure to ensure the safety of its staff and the aid they are trying to deliver. The international community must come together to pressure Israel to allow aid to reach Gaza and to cease attacks on humanitarian workers.
FAQs
Q: Why has UNRWA halted aid delivery to Gaza?
A: UNRWA has halted aid delivery to Gaza due to safety fears, as aid trucks have been stolen by armed gangs and the road out of the Kerem Shalom crossing has not been safe for months.
Q: What is the situation like in Gaza?
A: Gaza has descended into anarchy, with hunger soaring, looting rampant, and rising numbers of rapes in shelters as public order falls apart.
Q: What is Israel’s response to the crisis?
A: Israel claims that relief organizations cannot distribute large quantities of aid, and that only 7% of the aid that came into the Gaza Strip in November was coordinated by UNRWA.
Q: What is being done to address the crisis?
A: The UN and humanitarian organizations are calling for a ceasefire and for aid to be allowed to reach Gaza safely. The international community must come together to pressure Israel to allow aid to reach Gaza and to cease attacks on humanitarian workers.