On Saturday, crowds of desperate civilians gathered in Gaza, hoping to receive food aid. Many had heard that supplies were on the way and could not wait to reach distribution points. The World Food Programme (WFP) reported that after nearly 80 days of a total blockade, people were unwilling to let food trucks pass by without trying to get help.
The WFP had selected delivery routes that were safer and closer to the population, avoiding areas controlled by gangs. However, when aid workers instructed people to take only one bag of flour each, they struggled to enforce this rule. The situation was chaotic, with many people rushing to grab what they could.
In a recent assessment, the United Nations warned that the entire population of Gaza is at critical risk of famine. Approximately two million people are in urgent need of food. Although the blockade has been partially lifted, the WFP has not been able to distribute aid at the necessary scale. They emphasized that the current level of aid is insufficient to calm the unrest and manage the situation effectively.
Israel imposed the blockade in an effort to pressure Hamas to release hostages, some of whom are believed to still be alive. The UN’s Palestinian relief agency chief stated that the 900 trucks sent to Gaza over the past week only meet about 10% of the daily food needs for the population. Philippe Lazzarini, the agency chief, criticized the limited aid, calling it a mockery of the tragedy unfolding in Gaza.
Israel’s military agency, Cogat, accused the UN of failing to distribute the aid already in Gaza, claiming that hundreds of trucks are waiting to be delivered. They suggested that more aid could reach people if the UN collected the supplies waiting at the crossings.
The UN’s regional head, Jonathan Whittall, highlighted the challenges faced in distributing aid, including growing insecurity along delivery routes, inappropriate routes being assigned, long delays in approvals, and the presence of desperate crowds.
In addition to the WFP, a new US and Israel-backed organization has started distributing food at designated sites in Gaza. This initiative was launched after Israel accused Hamas of stealing aid, a claim that Hamas denies. The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation reported distributing two million meals this week, although this figure has not been independently verified.
Distribution sites have seen chaotic scenes, prompting the UN to refuse to collaborate with this new operation, as it contradicts established humanitarian principles. The situation remains dire, with many people in desperate need of assistance.