Gaza Aid Hits Crisis Point Despite US Demands on Israel: Famine Spreads

PALESTINE - ISRAEL, 16 Dec 2024

Al Mayadeen English - TRANSCEND Media Service

A Palestinian girl lies weak in a mattress in Gaza with severe malnutrition and dehydration with her small rib cage visible below a t shirt. (@mhdksafa/X)

Gazans endure extreme food scarcity as looters and IDF attacks on Palestinians guarding convoys choke off supplies. While the US issues warnings to Israel through the media, the occupation continues to delay and obstruct aid.

15 Dec 2024 – Aid to Gaza remains near record lows, despite the US asserting that it would not halt arms transfers to “Israel”, citing “some progress” in facilitating humanitarian aid, The Financial Times reported on Sunday.

Washington had reportedly urged “Israel” to improve conditions for Palestinians in Gaza, but humanitarian groups report worsening conditions. Additionally, Israeli occupation forces have killed Palestinians who were facilitating aid convoys.

According to UN data, approximately 1,700 trucks entered Gaza by December 12, a modest increase from the previous month, which saw the lowest level of aid deliveries since the onset of the Israeli aggression on Gaza.

A truck carrying humanitarian aid enters a refugee camp in central Gaza.
© Eyad Baba/AFP/Getty Images

No assurance of food: Gaza’s struggle for survival amid genocide

Louise Wateridge, Senior Emergency Officer for UNRWA in Gaza, told FT, “It got to the point where we were lucky if we got half a truck in. People can’t have one day where they just know: my family will eat.”

In central and southern Gaza, where most residents are being forcibly displaced, hunger has deepened. Bakeries have been overwhelmed by desperate crowds, and three people were suffocated in a food queue in central Gaza on November 29. Flour shortages are severe, with a sack costing $162, according to a joint report by several aid organizations published on December 13.

On October 13, US officials warned “Israel” that it had 30 days to “surge all forms of humanitarian assistance” to Gaza and end the isolation of northern Gaza, threatening military aid if conditions did not improve. However, the US later decided not to withhold military assistance, citing “some progress” despite worsening conditions.

Israeli occupation forces have regularly delayed or denied humanitarian access, and between November 13 and December 10, all attempts by the UN to deliver aid to northern Gaza were either blocked or hindered.

Israel denies, delays, and allows looting of aid

While “Israel” has opened the Kissufim crossing to central Gaza, only 67 trucks have entered in the past month. Bushra Khalidi, policy lead for Oxfam, told FT, “It’s not enough for Israel to drop aid off at the border and open one gate. They need to open all land routes simultaneously and ensure protection for an unfettered aid response inside Gaza too.”

On December 1, UNRWA halted aid transfers from Karem Abu Salem, the primary entry point for aid to southern and central Gaza, citing security concerns. However, after US pressure, “Israel” reportedly allowed aid convoys to take an alternative route within Gaza.

For two days, these convoys were able to reach their destinations successfully, with local communities protecting the aid trucks. But on the third day, Israeli invading units opened fire on Palestinians who were guarding the trucks, massacring at least 20 people. Only one of the 70 trucks in the convoy reached its destination, while the rest were looted.

Khalidi from Oxfam described the dire situation, “Even our own staff are dependent on humanitarian aid… My brother-in-law tells the kids not to play or run so they don’t get dizzy because they’re only having one meal a day.”

Go to Original – almayadeen.net

Join the BDS-BOYCOTT, DIVESTMENT, SANCTIONS campaign to protest the Israeli barbaric siege of Gaza, illegal occupation of the Palestine nation’s territory, the apartheid wall, its inhuman and degrading treatment of the Palestinian people, and the more than 7,000 Palestinian men, women, elderly and children arbitrarily locked up in Israeli prisons.

DON’T BUY PRODUCTS WHOSE BARCODE STARTS WITH 729, which indicates that it is produced in Israel. DO YOUR PART! MAKE A DIFFERENCE!

7 2 9: BOYCOTT FOR JUSTICE!

Share this article: email mastodon facebook 🔗 copy link

DISCLAIMER: The statements, views and opinions expressed in pieces republished here are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of TMS. In accordance with title 17 U.S.C. section 107, this material is distributed without profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the included information for research and educational purposes. TMS has no affiliation whatsoever with the originator of this article nor is TMS endorsed or sponsored by the originator. “GO TO ORIGINAL” links are provided as a convenience to our readers and allow for verification of authenticity. However, as originating pages are often updated by their originating host sites, the versions posted may not match the versions our readers view when clicking the “GO TO ORIGINAL” links. This site contains copyrighted material the use of which has not always been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. We are making such material available in our efforts to advance understanding of environmental, political, human rights, economic, democracy, scientific, and social justice issues, etc. We believe this constitutes a ‘fair use’ of any such copyrighted material as provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright Law. In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, the material on this site is distributed without profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the included information for research and educational purposes. For more information go to: http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/107.shtml. If you wish to use copyrighted material from this site for purposes of your own that go beyond ‘fair use’, you must obtain permission from the copyright owner.

There are no comments so far.