UN Halts Aid Deliveries to Gaza Amid Escalating Security Threats
The United Nations agency responsible for aiding Palestinians has announced the suspension of its relief efforts through Gaza’s main crossing due to growing safety concerns. Philippe Lazzarini, head of the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), cited repeated incidents of looting and violence near the Kerem Shalom crossing as the driving factor behind the decision.
Lazzarini emphasized the urgent need for order, calling on Israel to secure the area and ensure the safe passage of humanitarian supplies. The crossing is the primary gateway for aid to Gaza’s population of over two million people, a region teetering on the edge of famine.
Aid Convoys Targeted by Armed Gangs
Recent weeks have seen a troubling surge in violent thefts. Armed groups have repeatedly intercepted aid convoys, with one attack on November 16 resulting in 97 of 109 trucks being stolen at gunpoint. The perpetrators, linked to a well-known criminal family, later blocked access roads and fired on other vehicles attempting to distribute aid.
Witnesses have reported that some of these armed groups operate openly near the Israel-Gaza border, within a restricted zone overseen by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF).
Safety Breakdown for Aid Workers
UNRWA’s decision to pause deliveries follows the theft of five more aid trucks last Saturday and a deadly airstrike that claimed the lives of five humanitarian workers. Among those killed were three employees of the food charity World Central Kitchen (WCK). Israel has stated the airstrike targeted an individual linked to the attacks on October 7.
“This environment has become unworkable,” Lazzarini said, describing the aid operation as increasingly perilous. He urged Israel to uphold its responsibility to protect aid workers and ensure safe delivery routes.
Humanitarian Crisis Intensifies
Despite international pressure, the flow of aid into Gaza remains critically low. While Israel has opened alternative crossings, Kerem Shalom remains the main route for food and medical supplies. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has maintained that sufficient aid is entering Gaza, accusing Hamas of diverting resources and profiting from their sale.
A recent UN-led review warned that Gaza faces an imminent risk of famine, with aid deliveries now at their lowest levels since the conflict intensified in October 2023. The review urged all parties involved to act immediately to prevent further deterioration of the humanitarian crisis.
As Gaza’s situation grows increasingly dire, the pause in aid deliveries underscores the urgent need for stability and security to avert a full-scale catastrophe.
