UN Reports Ransacking of Aid Vehicles in Southern Gaza Amid Fear of Famine Caused by Blockade
At least 15 World Food Programme (WFP) aid trucks were looted in southern Gaza late Thursday, with the organization stating that critical food supplies were targetted while en route to WFP-supported bakeries. The development comes as 2 million people in the region face "extreme hunger and famine" without immediate action, the aid group warned.
The WFP, a division of the United Nations, did not assign blame for the looting incidents. In a statement, the organization expressed concern that the disruption could exacerbate hunger, desperation, and anxiety among the Gaza populace, already anxious about the availability of food aid.
The looting occurred mere days after the Israeli government started easing its blockade on food and aid entering Gaza as part of a three-phase plan. Aid trucks had reluctantly started trickling back into Gaza, as per U.N. and the Gaza Government Media Office reports. Israel had enacted a blockade on food and aid since March 2, aiming to prevent the flow of weapons and support for the militant group Hamas.
The Israeli government has been attempting to establish new aid distribution points in southern and central Gaza, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu disclosed. This move, however, has attracted criticism from established aid organizations working within Gaza for the past 19 months. The U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned that any scheme failing to uphold international law and humanitarian principles would receive no support from the organization.
It is noteworthy that looting incidents within Gaza are primarily attributed to armed looters and criminal groups, with Hamas-led groups reportedly executing four looters and pursuing several others involved in stealing aid supplies, sources suggest. Some looters have been selling humanitarian goods at inflated prices amid the desperate conditions in Gaza.
The WFP insists that it cannot safely operate under the current distribution system in Gaza, which limits the number of bakeries and sites where the population can access food. The organization contends that it must be allowed to distribute food parcels directly to families to prevent widespread starvation. Despite Israeli allegations that Hamas is stealing aid, the WFP maintains that it is Hamas, not Israeli authorities, that is primarily responsible for the organization's equipment and supplies.
- The looting of World Food Programme (WFP) aid trucks in Gaza, which targeted critical food supplies, is a concern that could exacerbate hunger and increase anxiety among the populace.
- In response to the looting incidents, the WFP has insisted that it cannot safely operate under the current distribution system, arguing for the need to distribute food parcels directly to families to prevent widespread starvation.
- The Israeli government's attempts to establish new aid distribution points in southern and central Gaza have been met with criticism from established aid organizations, with the United Nations Secretary-General warning against any scheme failing to uphold international law and humanitarian principles.
- According to reports, Crime and Justice within Gaza are often related to armed looters and criminal groups, with Hamas-led groups allegedly executing looters and pursuing others involved in stealing aid supplies.
