The United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) has halted humanitarian aid deliveries through the Kerem Shalom crossing, one of the primary routes into the Gaza Strip. The agency attributed the suspension to ongoing safety risks, including recent incidents of theft and armed interference.
UNRWA reported that in mid-November, a convoy of aid trucks was seized by armed groups, and additional food trucks were stolen over the weekend. The agency stated that the delivery of aid has become increasingly difficult due to the ongoing siege, restrictions on aid quantities imposed by Israeli authorities, unsafe routes, and attacks targeting local police.
The agency has called on Israel to facilitate smoother entry of aid into Gaza, emphasizing the urgent need for safe and uninterrupted humanitarian operations.
Israel announced that 40 trucks carrying 600 tons of flour and other food supplies entered southern Gaza on Sunday night. The number of trucks allowed through in November increased to 77 per day on average, up from 57 in October. However, these figures remain among the lowest recorded during the ongoing 15-month conflict.
The U.N. noted that less than half of the aid reaches Palestinians due to logistical hurdles, military restrictions, and security concerns, underscoring the dire humanitarian situation in the region.
