Israel has consistently denied aid convoys to northern Gaza, according to the UN Palestinian refugee agency (UNRWA). Food shortages are worst in northern Gaza, where Israel focused its military offensive in the early days of the war.
Israeli authorities vetoed at least 27 of the 81 aid missions requiring coordination in the north and south of the strip, between April 1 and 19, UNRWA said in a report released this Tuesday (23). The last time UNRWA was able to deliver food to the area was on 23 January.
The Israeli agency responsible for inspecting convoys entering Gaza told CNN earlier this month that it was “cooperating [no norte] with a wide range of humanitarian organizations”, including UN agencies and regional actors.
Since the beginning of April, an average of 186 aid trucks have entered Gaza per day through the Kerem Shalom and Rafah land crossings, UNRWA added. As of April 8, UNRWA said it had delivered flour to almost 400,000 families in southern Gaza. Before the war, around 500 supply trucks entered the Palestinian enclave every day.
Human rights agencies have repeatedly warned that Israel's severe restrictions on aid entering Gaza mean supplies are barely reaching the strip.
UNRWA states that “there has been very little significant change in the volume of humanitarian supplies entering Gaza or in improving access to the north.” Israeli agencies have frequently blamed the United Nations for failing to distribute aid inside Gaza, saying last week that hundreds of aid trucks are backlogged in Kerem Shalom.
Source: CNN Brasil
Bruce Belcher is a seasoned author with over 5 years of experience in world news. He writes for online news websites and provides in-depth analysis on the world stock market. Bruce is known for his insightful perspectives and commitment to keeping the public informed.
