Food Distribution Halted in Gaza Amid Supply Shortages and Insecurity
In the southern Gaza city of Rafah, the UN has announced the suspension of food distribution due to a lack of supplies and ongoing insecurity. The UN agency for Palestinian refugees, Unrwa, has raised concerns over the inaccessibility of its distribution center and a World Food Programme warehouse in eastern Rafah, as a result of the Israeli military action against Hamas.
An estimated 810,000 out of over a million residents in Rafah have fled the area since the start of the Israeli operation on 6 May. Unrwa has also highlighted the critical situation at its health centers, which have not received any medical supplies in the past 10 days.
The US has expressed doubts regarding the distribution of aid in Gaza, with reports suggesting that none of the 569 tonnes of food and other aid that entered through a new floating pier have reached Palestinians through aid organizations.
Recent events have seen Palestinian crowds intercepting WFP lorries transporting aid from the pier to a warehouse in Deir al-Balah, leading to the suspension of deliveries by the agency. The WFP has announced a pause in distribution as new routes are being planned to avoid such incidents.
Amidst the escalating conflict, the head of the World Health Organization has raised alarms over the targeting of medical facilities in Gaza. The largest partially functional hospital in northern Gaza reportedly came under attack multiple times, while another hospital in Jabalia has been besieged, leaving staff, patients, and accompanying individuals trapped inside.
The situation remains dire in Gaza as battles continue between Israeli forces and Palestinian armed groups, with civilians bearing the brunt of the ongoing violence. — BBC
