Aid shipments to Gaza obstructed by surge of commercial trucks

Truck drivers refasten a humanitarian aid cargo after inspection by Israeli security upon arriving from Egypt on the Israeli side of the Kerem Shalom border crossing, before entering the southern Gaza Strip. (File/AFP)

• Aid agencies cautioned against “mirage of improved access,” warning efforts to provide for Gaza are on brink of collapse

LONDON: Humanitarian organizations have raised concerns as aid shipments into southern Gaza are being severely restricted by the surge of commercial convoys, the Guardian reported on Monday.
The alarm has been raised as Israel launched its brutal assault on Rafah, cutting off essential supply routes to hundreds of thousands of people.
According to UN data, deliveries of food, medicine, and other humanitarian aid into Gaza decreased by two-thirds following the commencement of Israel’s assault on May 7. However, Israeli officials noted an overall increase in the number of trucks entering Gaza in May compared to April.
On May 30, Reuters reported that the Israeli military lifted a ban on the sale of food from Israel and the occupied West Bank to Gaza.
This allowed traders to resume the import of fresh fruit, vegetables, dairy, and other goods.
But around 20 aid agencies have cautioned against the “mirage of improved access,” warning that efforts to provide for Palestinians are on the brink of collapse.
They emphasized that despite Kerem Shalom crossing being officially open, commercial trucks are being prioritized, resulting in unpredictable and critically low movement of humanitarian aid.
While Gaza’s markets now display more food items, residents report prices have skyrocketed to many times their pre-war levels. After enduring months of war and displacement, most people cannot afford to buy what produce there is.
Employment has been scarce, and even those with bank savings face difficulties due to the near-collapse of power and communications networks.
The few operational ATMs are overwhelmed, with long queues, low withdrawal limits, and protection fees imposed to prevent theft and rioting.
Aid organizations face significant obstacles, including a lack of permits from Israeli forces to access Kerem Shalom and congested roads filled with commercial vehicles.
“The Israeli military operation and activities since 6 May have been crippling to the humanitarian response,” UNRWA Communications Director Juliette Touma told the Guardian.
She added: “(The reasons) include restrictions imposed on our movement, including to pick up humanitarian supplies from Kerem Shalom.
“The Israeli authorities have not been giving us enough authorisations to move … Also the area around Kerem Shalom has very, very quickly become extremely dangerous.”
The availability of food for sale allows those who can afford it to access a more varied diet, potentially easing the demand for aid.
However, if commercial imports reduce aid deliveries, the hunger crisis in southern Gaza could worsen. Last week, two child deaths due to malnutrition were reported in hospitals in Deir Al-Balah.
“For the largest period in the war, Israeli authorities were almost exclusively allowing humanitarian supplies, although not enough of them. This made a whole population of 2 million people rely on humanitarian handouts and relief,” Touma said.
“Then they started bringing in commercial supplies, once people had depleted their resources, and there’s a huge issue of cash shortages in Gaza. Very, very few people will be able to afford those supplies that are coming in.”