In brief
The head of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA), Philippe Lazzarini, announced the suspension of aid shipments via the Kerem Shalom crossing, following two instances of convoy theft by armed groups. This crossing has long served as the main artery for food and supplies to the over two million inhabitants of Gaza, who face urgent humanitarian needs. Reports indicate that criminal gangs, not Hamas as claimed by Israel, have emerged as the key barrier to the successful distribution of aid. Just weeks ago, a convoy transporting 109 lorries was ambushed and 97 were stolen.
Addressing the deteriorating situation, Lazzarini noted that the route has been perilous for months, citing thefts and the deaths of humanitarian workers in a recent Israeli strike. He stressed that Israel must ensure the safety of aid workers and facilitate the flow of humanitarian assistance without incidents. While Israel has opened other crossings due to international pressure and maintained that it is allowing sufficient aid into the region, UN reviews indicate that aid shipments are at a historic low since the escalation of conflict in October 2023. They warn of a looming famine in Gaza, calling for immediate intervention by all parties involved to mitigate the crisis.Israel-Gaza Conflict Sparks Humanitarian CrisisConcerns over violence and safety suspends UN aid amid threats in Gaza.As the humanitarian situation intensifies in Gaza, the UN has halted aid through the Kerem Shalom crossing due to alarming security risks, raising the specter of a looming famine in the besieged area. With ongoing violence and looting incidents, the UN highlights the pressing need for crisis intervention.
