Over the weekend, nearly one hundred aid trucks were looted in southern Gaza, marking one of the worst incidents of its kind, according to UNRWA, the UN agency for Palestinian refugees. Of the 109 trucks carrying food supplies for UNRWA and the World Food Programme, 97 trucks were lost in the looting. The drivers were forced to unload trucks at gunpoint, aid workers were injured, and vehicles were extensively damaged.
The Israeli military redirected the convoy at short notice via an alternate route, which UNRWA attributed to the perilous environment created by the collapse of law and order. The agency expressed concerns over the challenges in delivering aid to Gaza, citing frequent delays, looting, and escalating attacks on aid trucks.
UNRWA Chief Philippe Lazzarini highlighted the breakdown of civil order in the region, emphasizing the urgent need for intervention to address the worsening shortages of food and aid in Gaza. The attack on the convoy comes amidst escalating tensions between Israel and UNRWA, with Israel recently voting to ban the agency, citing alleged affiliations with Hamas and anti-Israel sentiments in its operations.
Meanwhile, Israeli airstrikes in Gaza have resulted in civilian casualties, including the recent killing of at least 50 people, with 17 members of a single family among the victims. The local health ministry reported that most of the casualties occurred in northern Gaza, with tragic incidents involving families being caught in the violence.
The situation in Gaza remains dire, with aid agencies warning of a looming famine and the urgent need for improved security and humanitarian assistance to alleviate the suffering of civilians in the region.
