The humanitarian situation in Gaza has taken a dire turn as law and order collapse amid violent looting of aid supplies. On Saturday, nearly 100 aid trucks carrying food for UNRWA and the World Food Programme were forcibly looted. Of the 109 trucks delivering aid, 97 were hijacked, with drivers forced to unload at gunpoint. The incident, described as one of the worst of its kind, resulted in injuries to aid workers and significant damage to vehicles.
The World Food Programme’s Deputy Executive Director, Carl Skau, recently returned from Gaza, reporting widespread destruction and escalating fighting that have rendered aid deliveries nearly impossible. He urged the UN Secretary-General to ensure safe and unimpeded access to the region to address the worsening humanitarian crisis.
The situation has been exacerbated by organized crime, with gangs targeting aid trucks to secure supplies for black-market resale. Some of these groups are believed to have ties to Hamas, according to Israeli officials. The closure of the Rafah crossing with Egypt in May has funneled most aid through the Kerem Shalom crossing with Israel, a route vulnerable to attacks by powerful Bedouin clans. The gang led by Yasser Abu Shabab has reportedly been the most active in hijacking convoys, killing drivers, and looting supplies.
Aid workers and transport companies in Gaza have described the challenges of operating in such conditions, including life-threatening risks for drivers. UN documents reviewed by The Washington Post highlight the scale of the looting. Many believe that only a significant influx of aid and commercial supplies could stabilize the situation by reducing the black-market incentives driving the chaos.
Meanwhile, residents like Nora Muhanna in eastern Gaza City are bearing the brunt of the crisis, enduring long waits for basic supplies. Muhanna reported a five-hour wait for a single bread bag and is still determining when the next delivery might arrive. The dire conditions underscore the urgent need for coordinated international action to restore order and alleviate suffering in Gaza.