The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) has announced the suspension of aid deliveries to Gaza via the Kerem Shalom crossing, citing escalating lawlessness and safety concerns. The decision comes amid a worsening humanitarian crisis in the region, where hunger and deprivation are mounting.
Philippe Lazzarini, UNRWA’s Commissioner-General, expressed deep frustration over the conditions, describing them as “unnecessarily impossible” for aid workers. He accused Israel of failing to provide secure conditions for the flow of humanitarian aid, further complicating the agency’s operations.
“The road out of this crossing has not been safe for months,” Lazzarini said in a statement, emphasizing that political decisions had severely restricted the quantity of aid allowed into Gaza. He further stated that the chaotic environment created by these restrictions, including military actions targeting local police, has led to a breakdown in law and order.
Israel, as the occupying power, is legally obligated to ensure the protection of aid workers and supplies under international humanitarian law. UNRWA has called on Israeli authorities to provide safe passage for aid trucks and refrain from actions that endanger humanitarian workers.
In response, the Israeli military agency overseeing Gaza’s aid operations dismissed the move’s broader impact, noting that UNRWA’s deliveries comprised only 7% of the total aid delivered to Gaza in November.
The suspension of aid operations highlights the severe challenges facing humanitarian efforts in Gaza, as residents endure a dire hunger crisis exacerbated by limited aid supplies and ongoing violence. The international community is urged to address these concerns to prevent further deterioration of conditions in the besieged territory.
