Israel Expedites Aid Flow into Gaza Amid Looming Famine
Under intense international scrutiny, Israel has expedited the flow of aid into Gaza this month, but humanitarian groups say that more is needed as severe hunger grips the enclave, particularly in the devastated north.
Israel’s efforts to increase aid, including opening new aid routes, have been acknowledged by the Biden administration and international aid officials. More aid trucks are now reaching Gaza, especially the north, where experts have warned that famine is imminent.
Arif Husain, the chief economist at the United Nations World Food Program, emphasized that while the increased aid levels are a positive step, it is crucial for this to continue daily in order to avert famine. The main needs are for more food, water, and medicine.
Aid groups have long criticized the limited aid entering Gaza due to war conditions, strict inspections, and limited crossing points. Israel has defended these restrictions to prevent weapons and supplies from falling into the hands of Hamas.
Under pressure from President Biden following an Israeli airstrike that killed seven aid workers from World Central Kitchen, Israel announced the opening of more aid routes. Aid is now reaching Gaza through new avenues, including a partly functioning border crossing into northern Gaza and the Israeli port city of Ashdod.
Infrastructure work is underway to make the northern crossing permanent and open another nearby, according to Shani Sasson, a spokeswoman for COGAT, the Israeli agency overseeing policy for the Palestinian territories.
The United Nations shared a video showing aid deliveries and the reopening of bakeries in Gaza City. Defense Department officials also announced the construction of a floating pier off the coast of Gaza to facilitate aid delivery.
Despite the increased aid, discrepancies exist in the reported aid totals, with Israel and the United Nations using different tracking methods. Tensions also remain over Israel’s claims against UNRWA employees allegedly aiding Hamas, leading to funding suspensions from several countries.
Germany has since announced it will resume funding for UNRWA, but the United States has not made a decision yet. The situation in Gaza remains critical, with ongoing efforts needed to prevent a humanitarian catastrophe.
