The United Nations (UN) reported that it has been unable to distribute aid in Gaza through the Kerem Shalom crossing, which is controlled by Israel, due to chaos and panic among the hungry population, despite Israel halting military activities during the day.
The Israeli military announced last Sunday that it would cease daily attacks from 5 a.m. to 4 p.m. GMT, until further notice, in the area stretching from Kerem Shalom in southern Israel to Salah al-Din Road and then northward in Gaza.
UN spokesperson Farhan Haq welcomed this step but noted, “This has not yet translated into increased aid reaching those in need.”
He highlighted the extreme danger in the area between Kerem Shalom and Salah al-Din Road.
“Fighting is not the only reason for the inability to deliver aid. The lack of any police or rule of law in the area makes transporting goods extremely hazardous.”
Haq emphasized the UN’s readiness to work with all parties to ensure aid reaches people in Gaza and will continue collaborating with authorities and security forces to improve security conditions.
He stressed the urgency of a consistent flow of goods to prevent panic among the starving population.
The UN and aid organizations have long complained about the dangers and obstacles in delivering aid across Gaza, warning that famine looms over the region.
Since the conflict between Israel and Hamas began over eight months ago, aid has primarily entered Gaza’s 2.3 million residents through the Rafah crossing from Egypt and Kerem Shalom from Israel.
Aid deliveries were disrupted last month when Israel intensified military operations in Rafah, aiming to defeat the remaining Hamas fighters.
Egypt closed the Rafah crossing due to the threats to humanitarian efforts, redirecting accumulated aid and fuel through Kerem Shalom.
