In southern Gaza on Saturday, a devastating looting incident saw nearly 100 aid trucks violently intercepted, with 97 out of 109 trucks carrying food supplies for UNRWA (United Nations Relief and Works Agency) and the World Food Programme being lost. UNRWA has called this one of the worst incidents of its kind.
Drivers were forced at gunpoint to unload the trucks, leaving aid workers injured and vehicles extensively damaged.
A joint 109-truck @UN convoy carrying food supplies to people in #Gaza was violently looted on 16 November. The vast majority of the trucks, 97 in total, were lost and drivers were forced at gunpoint to unload aid.
Due to critical shortages of flour, all eight UN-supported… pic.twitter.com/59RHJKWLAU
— UNRWA (@UNRWA) November 18, 2024
A Breakdown of Civil Order
UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini highlighted the dire situation: “Well, we have been warning for a long time about the total breakdown of civil order; (until) four or five months ago, we still had local capacity, people who were escorting the convoys. This has completely gone,” he said during a press conference in Geneva.
The looting underlines the deteriorating security conditions in Gaza, as aid shortages drive desperation among civilians.
Warnings of Famine and Hunger Deaths
The UN has warned of severe food shortages in Gaza, with aid agencies predicting famine if immediate intervention is not secured. Civilians fleeing northern Gaza report widespread hunger and deaths linked to malnutrition.
Louise Wateridge, an UNRWA spokesperson in Gaza, described the harrowing reality: “People at the moment are absolutely desperate for anything. We’re back at a stage where we’re seeing people literally fighting over a bag of flour.”
Israel’s Ban on UNRWA Operations
Israel’s parliament recently voted to ban UNRWA from operating in territories under its control, including the West Bank and East Jerusalem. Israeli authorities accuse the agency of ties to Hamas and promoting hate, allegations that UNRWA denies.
The ban leaves UNRWA reliant on Israeli vehicles for aid delivery. Wateridge painted a grim picture of these operations: “It looks like something out of a sci-fi movie. They try and armor the vehicles as best as possible and protect themselves. And they drive very, very fast and just try and not stop and just keep going. That’s the only protection they have.”
The Risk of Starvation Grows
With one million people at risk of starvation, the World Food Programme has sounded the alarm. The humanitarian crisis in Gaza is worsening daily, and the need for urgent international intervention is critical.
