People searching for food in Gaza are getting killed or wounded as aid distribution has turned chaotic and deadly, the United Nations (UN) announced. Since late May, Israel and the United States have backed a new aid distribution system that bypasses UN agencies and their usual partners. On Monday alone, 29 casualties arrived at the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) field hospital in west Rafah, with eight people dead from explosive wounds and gunshot injuries.
The situation has forced desperate families into impossible choices. More than two million people in Gaza face famine conditions, but getting food now means risking their lives. UN Deputy Spokesperson Farhan Haq said no person should be “forced to choose between risking one’s life and feeding one’s family.”
Making things worse, fuel stocks across Gaza are running dangerously low, threatening to shut down what’s left of aid operations. About 260,000 litres of fuel were looted in northern Gaza over the weekend. The UN has tried 14 times since May 15th to retrieve fuel supplies, but Israeli authorities have blocked every attempt.
“The UN warns that unless a solution is found in the coming days, the entire aid operation could come to a standstill,” Haq said.
Even when aid gets through, it’s not reaching people who need it. Since May 19th, the UN has only managed to collect about 4,600 metric tonnes of wheat flour from the Kerem Shalom crossing. Most of it was taken by starving people before reaching distribution points, while armed gangs looted some supplies. Aid workers estimate they need 8,000 to 10,000 metric tonnes of wheat flour just to give each family a single bag.
The UN is calling on Israel to allow much more aid through multiple crossings and routes. As the occupying power, Israel has responsibility for maintaining public order and safety in Gaza, which should include letting in enough supplies to reduce the desperation driving people to loot food convoys.
