UNRWA halts aid delivery via key Israeli-held crossing as hunger grips Gaza

The UN Palestine refugee agency (UNRWA) has suspended the delivery of humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip through Karem Abu Salem (Kerem Shalom) crossing due to numerous restrictions imposed by Israel against the blockaded Palestinian territory.

In a post on X on Sunday, the UNRWA head Philippe Lazzarini said that Israel’s ongoing siege, restrictions, lack of safety, and targeting of local police make it impossible to carry out humanitarian operations in Gaza.

“We are pausing the delivery of aid through Kerem Shalom … The road out of this crossing has not been safe for months. On 16 November, a large convoy of aid trucks was stolen by armed gangs. Yesterday, we tried to bring in a few food trucks on the same route. They were all taken,” UNRWA head Philippe Lazzarini said in a post on X.

“The responsibility of protection of aid workers and supplies is with Israel as the occupying power. They must ensure aid flows into Gaza safely and must refrain from attacks on humanitarian workers,” Lazzarini said.

“I call once again for a cease-fire that would also secure the delivery of safe and uninterrupted aid to people in need.”

The pause means that people will not be able to receive any aid in the Gaza Strip, where they completely rely on food aid and distribution. It’s another step towards famine and forced starvation.

“This difficult decision comes at a time hunger is rapidly deepening. The delivery of humanitarian aid must never be dangerous or turn into an ordeal,” the UNRWA chief said. 

Israel using ‘starvation campaign’ in Gaza: UN expert

A UN expert says Israel is carrying out a “starvation campaign” against Palestinians during its war on Gaza.

The decision comes after Israeli occupation forces targeted a civil car belonging to the World Central Kitchen (WCK) in a drone attack on Gaza’s southern city of Khan Younis. 

Five people were killed including three aid workers from the charity kitchens.

In April, seven international aid workers were killed in Deir el-Balah while they were traveling in three vehicles belonging to the aid group, with clear WCK signage attached to the car.

Israel targets World Central Kitchen convoy in Gaza, killing 3 aid workers

The attack comes on a gathering on Palestinians receiving aid in the southern area of Khan Younis.

The growing humanitarian crisis in Gaza has left many without access to adequate food, water, or healthcare, pushing resources and infrastructure to the brink of collapse as winter approaches. 

Separately, the UN agency said that more than 415,000 displaced people in Gaza are now seeking refuge in school buildings operated by UNRWA. 

UNRWA earlier said the Israeli military had targeted 69 percent of school buildings used as shelters for displaced people in the Gaza Strip.

Israel bombed 69% of schools sheltering displaced Palestinians in Gaza: UNRWA

UNRWA says Israel has targeted 69 percent of school buildings used as shelters for displaced people in Gaza.

The Gaza media office further underlined that “85% of educational facilities are out of service due to direct and deliberate targeting, posing a significant challenge to efforts to resume the educational process after the war ends.”

Since the start of the aggression, the Tel Aviv regime has killed nearly 44,400 Palestinians, mostly women and children, and left vast swathes of the territory in ruins.
 

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