The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) has announced the suspension of aid deliveries through Gaza's main cargo crossing. This decision was taken due to threats of looting by armed groups. On Sunday (December 1), the head of the company, Filipe Lazzarini, announced this information. He blamed Israeli policies for the aid crisis. The US news agency AP reported the news.
Aid freezes amid cold and rainy weather will exacerbate Gaza's humanitarian crisis. Currently, millions of Palestinians live in inhumane conditions in refugee camps and rely on international aid for food aid. Experts warn of famine in northern Gaza. Israeli forces have almost completely isolated the area since last October.
UNRWA head Lazzarini said aid trucks en route to the Karem Shalom crossing were in dangerous conditions inside Gaza. 100 trucks were looted in mid-November and another relief shipment fell into the hands of armed groups on Saturday.
The Karem Shalom crossing is the main cargo crossing between Israel and Gaza and has been used as the main route for aid deliveries since the Rafah crossing in Egypt was closed. According to Israeli statistics, two-thirds of the aid that entered Gaza last month was delivered through this crossing.
Lazzarini blamed Israel's political decision in a statement on social media. He noted that humanitarian operations have collapsed due to policies of limiting aid, insecurity on the streets and Israeli attacks on police led by Hamas.
Israel had no immediate comment on the matter. However, they have always claimed that the required amount of relief is being delivered to Gaza. The Israeli government has accused UNRWA of being influenced by Hamas and last month passed a law severing ties with the organization.
At least six people, including two children, were killed in an Israeli attack on Gaza on Sunday. Two children aged six and eight were killed in an attack on a relief camp in Muwasi area. Their mother and eight-month-old sister were injured in the same incident.
Four men were killed in another attack the same night in Rafah city. The Israeli army said it was not aware of any attacks in these areas. However, they claim, they only target militants and do their utmost to avoid harming civilians.
Israeli leader accused of war crimes
Former Israeli Defense Minister Moshe Ya'alon has called Israeli operations in northern Gaza genocide. He said, Beit Hanun, Beit Lahiya no more. Arabs are being purged by operations in the Jabalia camp.
Israel's Likud party strongly criticized Ya'alon's remarks, saying his comments were a reward for the International Criminal Court and the anti-Israel camp.
