UNRWA pauses aid through key Gaza crossing as hunger stalks Palestinians

UNRWA has halted aid shipments through the Karam Abu Salam Crossing into Gaza due to escalating risks of theft by organized gangs in Israeli-controlled areas. The gangs are exploiting the humanitarian crisis, looting aid supplies and reselling them at inflated prices, worsening the already dire situation in Gaza. UNRWA and aid organizations are urging the international community to pressure Israel to allow safe passage of aid into Gaza.

UNRWA Halts Aid

• 00:00:17 The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) has paused aid shipments through the Karam Abu Salam Crossing into Gaza due to safety concerns. The crossing was the entry point for nearly two-thirds of all aid entering Gaza last month. The decision was made after repeated attacks on aid convoys, which resulted in the looting of aid supplies by criminal gangs, mainly in areas under Israeli control.

Looting & Worsening Crisis

• 00:01:27 Organized criminal gangs are looting aid shipments in Gaza, particularly in Israeli-controlled areas known as the 'Red Zone'. This looting has contributed to a significant rise in the price of essential goods, as the stolen items are sold on the black market at exorbitant prices. The theft of aid exacerbates the already dire humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where over 80% of the population depends on humanitarian assistance, and UNRWA is calling on the international community to pressure Israel to ensure the safe delivery of aid.