After 97 UN aid trucks in Gaza are ‘violently looted’ by armed men, food prices soar
Food prices in the Gaza Strip are skyrocketing following an alarming incident where armed men attacked and looted nearly 100 U.N. aid trucks that had crossed over from Israel. Out of the 109 trucks that entered central Gaza, a staggering 97 were violently looted and forced at gunpoint to unload aid, as reported by the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA).
The repercussions of this brazen attack are dire, with critical shortages of flour leading all eight U.N.-supported bakeries in Deir al-Balah and Khan Younis to operate at diminished capacity for weeks. Some bakeries have even been forced to shut down entirely. The agency has warned that without immediate intervention, severe food shortages are set to worsen, putting the lives of over 2 million people who rely on humanitarian aid at risk.
The impact of the attack is already being felt on the ground, with a woman in Deir al-Balah revealing that the price of flour has surged to over $100 per bag, if it can even be found. The situation is dire, with reports of scarcity and exorbitant prices causing immense hardships for the local population.
U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric stated that the Israeli military had directed the convoy of aid trucks to take an alternative route after crossing at the Kerem Shalom crossing, leading to the robbery near the crossing itself. Israel has pointed fingers at criminal gangs and Hamas, the Palestinian terrorist group, for the theft.
However, Hamas official Bassem Naim refuted these claims, attributing the looting to young Bedouins operating near Israeli military positions. Al-Aqsa TV, affiliated with Hamas, reported that Hamas security forces in Gaza had launched an operation against the looters, resulting in the deaths of 20 individuals.
The repercussions of this incident are far-reaching, with Gaza residents like Nora Muhanna expressing despair over the scarcity of goods and lack of financial means to acquire them. UNRWA has criticized the Israeli authorities for failing to fulfill their obligations under international law to ensure the basic needs of the population are met and facilitate the safe delivery of aid.
The humanitarian crisis in Gaza is worsening, with immediate action needed to address the food shortages and ensure the well-being of the vulnerable population. The need for continued support and intervention is crucial to prevent further suffering in the region.
