The United Nations strongly condemned a group of “armed individuals” for raiding warehouses in Gaza and stealing medical supplies. This incident occurred on Friday, highlighting the ongoing humanitarian crisis in the region. The looted supplies included essential medical equipment, medicines, and nutritional supplements intended for malnourished children.
Stephane Dujarric, spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, reported that the armed group stormed warehouses at a field hospital in Deir al-Balah. He noted that the stolen aid had arrived in Gaza just a day earlier, emphasizing the urgency of the situation. Dujarric stated, “As conditions on the ground further deteriorate, looting incidents continue to be reported.”
Dujarric highlighted a significant difference between this organized looting and a previous incident involving desperate Palestinians. He explained that the earlier looting of a UN World Food Programme (WFP) warehouse involved individuals seeking food aid. In contrast, he described Friday’s event as a “much more organized operation with armed men.”
Humanitarian Crisis Deepens
Since the beginning of last week, Israel has allowed a limited amount of aid into Gaza after imposing a total blockade on 2 March. However, the UN warned that the aid provided so far represents “a drop in the ocean” compared to the overwhelming needs in Gaza. The humanitarian agency stated that “100% of the population is at risk of famine.”
Gaza has suffered immensely due to Israel’s military offensive, which has resulted in the deaths of at least 54,321 people, primarily civilians. The ongoing conflict has devastated infrastructure, destroying hospitals, schools, and essential services. Dujarric reported that only five truckloads of aid managed to reach Gaza on Thursday, while 60 trucks had to turn back due to intense fighting.
Rejection of Israeli Allegations
Dujarric rejected Israeli claims that the UN failed to collect available aid, explaining that it was unsafe to use the road designated by Israel’s military for aid organizations. He emphasized the presence of “a lot of armed gangs” operating in the area, making it dangerous for humanitarian efforts.
The five trucks that successfully delivered supplies on Thursday carried medical aid for the Deir al-Balah field hospital. Tragically, most of these supplies were looted shortly after their arrival. Dujarric expressed deep sadness over the incident, stating, “This is very sad and tragic.”
