The United Nations (UN) is set to evaluate the viability of using an Israeli military road along the Gaza Strip border to deliver aid to the northern part of the Palestinian enclave, as reported by Reuters, citing a senior UN aid official. The development comes after a 14-truck convoy was looted at an Israeli army checkpoint earlier this week.
The UN has issued warnings, stating that approximately 576,000 people in Gaza, constituting a quarter of the population, are on the brink of famine.
Jamie McGoldrick, the UN aid coordinator for the Occupied Palestinian Territory, stated that the UN has been urging Israel for weeks to employ the Gaza border fence road for aid delivery. He further noted that there has been increased cooperation from Israel in the past week.
"Since the incident last week, I think Israel saw quite clearly how difficult it is to deliver assistance," McGoldrick was quoted as saying by Reuters. He further added that the UN had seen "much more cooperation from Israel as a result of that realisation".
Following an incident last Thursday, where over 100 people were killed while trying to reach an aid convoy near Gaza City, the UN observed a shift in Israel's approach. McGoldrick acknowledged that Israel realized the challenges of delivering assistance, leading to improved cooperation.
Using this route to access northern Gaza allows aid convoys to bypass congested roads and the insecurity within the enclave. The UN World Food Programme (WFP) temporarily halted deliveries to northern Gaza on February 20 due to safety concerns related to attacks on its convoys.
McGoldrick said that while other avenues for aid, such as Israel's Ashdod port and air drops by the United States and Jordan, are helpful, but these are not going to address the significant needs, which can only be done by road transport," Reuters reported.
Aid Convoy For Northern Gaza Looted After Delay At Israeli Checkpoint:
Efforts by the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) to deliver aid to approximately half a million people at risk of famine in northern Gaza faced disruptions, with a 14-truck convoy looted after being held at an Israeli army checkpoint on Tuesday, reported The Guardian.
The convoy, destined for northern Gaza, encountered delays at the Israeli checkpoint, leading to an attack as it turned back. A large crowd seized 200 tonnes of food meant for the desperate population, the report said.
Insecurity, logistical challenges, ongoing conflicts, and movement restrictions imposed by Israel have collectively impeded aid deliveries, providing only a fraction of the needed assistance, aid officials revealed.
This WFP convoy marked the first attempt to reach northern Gaza since operations were paused on Feb. 20 due to insecurity. Israeli forces had previously shot at Palestinians attempting to obtain food from WFP trucks.
Hopes for a potential agreement between Hamas and Israel to halt hostilities and facilitate humanitarian aid were raised last week. The ongoing efforts aim to secure a deal before the commencement of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, given historical escalations in violence and tensions during this period.