Gaza City – A convoy of 109 UN aid lorries carrying food and essential supplies was violently looted in Gaza on Saturday, exacerbating a worsening food crisis in the war-torn region. The UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) reported that masked assailants attacked the convoy, forcing drivers at gunpoint to unload their cargo after crossing into southern Gaza via the Israeli-controlled Kerem Shalom crossing.
UNRWA confirmed the loss of 97 trucks in what is considered one of the most severe incidents of its kind. Eyewitnesses reported that the attackers threw grenades to halt the convoy. The agency’s commissioner general, Philippe Lazzarini, described the situation as a “total breakdown of civil order” and warned that the chaotic environment in Gaza has rendered aid operations nearly impossible.
Looming Famine
The looting highlights the dire conditions for Gaza’s two million residents, the majority of whom rely on humanitarian aid. A recent UN-backed assessment warned of an imminent famine in parts of northern Gaza. Lazzarini emphasized the urgent need for intervention, stating, “We have been warning for months about the complete collapse of civil structures in Gaza.”
Compounding the crisis, hundreds of desperate residents attempted to storm a UNRWA-run vocational center in Khan Younis, mistakenly believing it held the looted aid.
Israeli and Local Responses
The Israeli military has yet to comment on the incident, though the military body overseeing humanitarian affairs in Gaza, Cogat, acknowledged challenges in aid distribution. It said on X: “We are working together on various measures to ensure aid reaches Gazans in need.”
Hamas’ interior ministry claimed to have killed over 20 individuals involved in the looting, describing them as members of criminal gangs. The ministry said the operation was conducted with assistance from tribal committees.
UNRWA, however, criticized Israeli authorities for failing to uphold their responsibilities under international law, stating that Israel must ensure safe delivery of aid once it enters Gaza.
Broader Context
The looting underscores the challenges of delivering aid amid ongoing conflict. A coalition of NGOs recently linked such incidents to the destruction of Gaza’s police forces, scarcity of goods, and limited crossing points. They alleged that some looting occurred near Israeli forces, who did not intervene.
Meanwhile, Israeli airstrikes continued across Gaza, with over 30 reported fatalities on Monday, including children. These strikes targeted residential areas and even a designated humanitarian zone, according to local authorities.
Since the war began on October 7, 2023, following Hamas’ attack on southern Israel, more than 43,920 people have been killed in Gaza, according to the health ministry. Israel launched its military campaign to dismantle Hamas, citing the group’s responsibility for the deaths of 1,200 Israelis and the capture of 251 hostages.
As the humanitarian crisis deepens, international pressure mounts for a ceasefire and unimpeded access for aid workers to the region.