“Urgent Crisis Unfolds as Aid Supplies Dwindle”
By Olivia Le Poidevin and Emma Farge
GENEVA (Reuters) – The situation in Gaza is becoming increasingly dire as crucial supplies of food, medicine, and shelter are running low, with fears that aid meant for Palestinians in urgent need might go to waste following Israel’s decision to halt deliveries to the enclave, humanitarian organizations reported on Monday.
Israel put a stop to the entry of aid trucks into Gaza on Sunday, heightening tensions over the ceasefire that has kept hostilities at bay for the past six weeks.
“A large portion of the aid that has arrived in recent weeks has already been distributed… As a result, we are already witnessing price hikes,” a U.N. official in Gaza informed Reuters.
Medecins Sans Frontieres, a medical charity, cautioned that the suspension of aid would place significant strain on the two million Palestinians in Gaza who continue to face shortages of essential goods after enduring 16 months of conflict. Hamas has denied accusations by Israel of diverting aid for its own purposes.
“Any further obstacles to accessing food and clean water could have catastrophic effects. The surge in prices of essential items is causing anxiety and uncertainty,” said Caroline Seguin, MSF emergency coordinator in Gaza, in an interview with Reuters.
Salama Marouf, head of the Gaza government media office, assured that there is enough food in local markets to last for at least two weeks and urged residents not to panic.
LOGISTICAL CHALLENGES
More than 300 aid trucks were prevented from entering Gaza from Egypt on Sunday, according to the International Federation of the Red Cross. Their warehouses in Egypt, stocked with food, water, and medicines, are currently at 50% capacity, with expiration dates being closely monitored.
“We currently have sufficient warehouse space, but the duration for which this situation will persist remains uncertain,” explained Jurgen Hogl, operations coordinator for the IFRC in Egypt, in an interview with Reuters.
Medecins Sans Frontieres has 14 aid trucks stationed in Egypt and Jordan, primarily carrying medical supplies, awaiting permission to deliver the much-needed assistance into Gaza.
“We are worried that if medicines are left in trucks for prolonged periods, exposed to sunlight, it could decrease their effectiveness and shorten their shelf life,” Seguin expressed.
The Norwegian Refugee Council raised concerns that aid agencies may eventually be forced to halt shipments if the situation deteriorates, similar to the restrictions imposed at the start of the conflict.
“It is expensive for us to store aid in warehouses or have it sitting on trucks, waiting in lines,” stated NRC spokesperson Shaina Low in an interview with Reuters.
Despite the meager progress in phase two negotiations aimed at achieving a lasting peace agreement, Israel, while halting aid deliveries, emphasized that it will not agree to a ceasefire unless all remaining hostages are released. In response, Hamas condemned Israel’s actions as “blackmail” and a “blatant violation of the agreement
