UNRWA halts aid deliveries to Gaza over security concerns
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The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) announced a temporary suspension of aid deliveries through the Kerem Abu Salem (Kerem Shalom) crossing due to escalating security threats and widespread looting, according to UNRWA spokesperson Adnan Abu Hasna.
Abu Hasna stated that the decision was made because of the "dangerousness of the situation" and the lack of protection for aid trucks, which are often looted shortly after crossing into Gaza. “This makes all efforts futile,” he said.
While food aid deliveries have been halted, Abu Hasna emphasized that other critical services, such as health care, are still operational. However, he warned that the continuation of the current conditions could lead to the complete collapse of Gaza’s humanitarian system within days.
“The humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip is extremely dangerous,” Abu Hasna said, noting that famine has already taken hold in parts of northern and southern Gaza.
Abu Hasna criticized the Israeli authorities for failing to secure the aid convoys, pointing out that the areas where theft occurs are near the Kerem Abu Salem crossing and under Israeli security control. He described the entry process of aid into Gaza as “absolutely unacceptable” and unsustainable.
UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini echoed these concerns, announcing on Sunday that aid deliveries would be paused due to persistent insecurity.
“We are pausing the delivery of aid through Kerem Shalom, the main crossing point for humanitarian aid into Gaza. The road out of this crossing has not been safe for months,” Lazzarini said in a statement.
Despite the challenges, UN agencies continue to advocate for safer and more efficient aid delivery mechanisms to prevent a total humanitarian collapse in Gaza. The suspension of aid underscores the urgency of addressing both security issues and the dire needs of the population.
The crisis in Gaza persists against the backdrop of ongoing conflict, with efforts to stabilize the region facing significant obstacles. (ILKHA)
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