Haaretz: Israeli Military Allegedly Allowing Gunmen to Loot Aid Trucks Entering Gaza
The Israeli newspaper Haaretz reported Monday that the Israeli occupation military has allegedly allowed armed groups to intercept and loot humanitarian aid trucks entering the Gaza Strip. According to the report, gunmen have been extorting protection money from aid organizations using the Karam Abu Salem crossing route, which is controlled by the Israeli military. Sources claim the military has not intervened and has even restricted aid groups from taking safer routes.
Some aid groups have refused to pay the protection fees, which has resulted in essential supplies sitting unused in warehouses managed by the Israeli military, Haaretz reported. This situation has created significant challenges in delivering aid effectively. Local police in Gaza reportedly tried to confront the looters, but these attempts were thwarted by Israeli forces.
International organizations have proposed deploying a neutral police force in Gaza, either Palestinian or international, to ensure safe delivery of aid. However, Israeli leaders have reportedly opposed this suggestion.
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This news surfaces as the U.S. has given Israel a 30-day deadline to increase aid to Gaza, following an appeal by U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin for an increase to 350 truckloads of essential supplies daily. By the end of October, the average daily truckload count was only 71, prompting concerns over insufficient aid reaching Gaza’s population.
The humanitarian situation remains dire, with the independent Famine Review Committee (FRC) warning that parts of northern Gaza face an "imminent famine" if more aid does not arrive soon. The committee urged all parties involved in the conflict to take immediate action to prevent a humanitarian catastrophe. This alert aligns with the U.S. ultimatum to improve conditions in Gaza, with the possibility of future repercussions, including potential reductions in U.S. military aid.