A troubling situation is unfolding in Gaza, where food aid meant for the population is reportedly going to waste. Approximately 950 trucks filled with food and supplies have been inspected and approved by Israel, but they are sitting unused on the Gaza side of the Kerem Shalom crossing. The reason? The United Nations has refused to distribute the aid.
Tamir Morag, a journalist with Israel’s Channel 14, highlighted this issue, stating that the UN has turned down an offer from the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation to distribute the aid free of charge. Morag accused the UN of collaborating with Hamas, suggesting that they are intentionally starving the people of Gaza while promoting a narrative of hunger.
The situation raises questions about the motives behind the UN’s refusal. Morag claims that both the UN and Hamas aim to control the aid flow, which could lead to most of the supplies ending up in the hands of Hamas instead of the needy civilians.
This claim was supported by Trey Yingst, a foreign correspondent for Fox News, who confirmed reports of the aid trucks waiting in vain for distribution. Adding to the distressing picture, the Israeli Foreign Ministry recently released footage showing Hamas members enjoying meals in their tunnels while residents above struggle with severe food shortages.
In the context of the ongoing conflict, Andrew Fox from the Henry Jackson Society noted that Israel has been allowing aid trucks into Gaza since late October 2023, initially permitting up to 100 trucks per day. This number increased to 200 by late November, and eventually, Israeli officials announced there would be no daily limit on aid trucks. However, the often-cited figure of 500 trucks per day entering Gaza before the conflict is misleading. In reality, the average was closer to 300 trucks daily, with only a fraction carrying food.
Fox also pointed out that during a ceasefire from January to March 2025, Gaza received a significant influx of aid, with over 25,000 trucks delivering food and supplies. Despite this, Hamas has publicly stated that it does not take responsibility for the welfare of Gaza’s civilians, placing the blame on Israel and the UN.
Chapin Fay, a spokesperson for the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, described the dire scene at the Kerem Shalom crossing, where he witnessed tons of aid, including flour and rice, going to waste. He reported that some supplies had been left unattended for over 90 days, highlighting the urgent need for action to address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
As the situation develops, the international community is watching closely, hoping for a resolution that ensures aid reaches those who need it most.
