Outside a warehouse in southern Gaza this week, a small crowd of men and boys awaited humanitarian aid, receiving sacks of flour and boxes of food. This orderly scene has become rare in the territory since the onset of war more than 15 months ago, as Israeli restrictions and security issues limited the delivery of essential supplies amid an ongoing siege.
Following a recent cease-fire agreement that halted fighting in Gaza, both Palestinians and aid officials report an increase in food deliveries and essential items. The challenge now lies in sustaining this level of aid amid logistical hurdles and uncertainties regarding the duration of the truce.
The United Nations reported that it transported as much food into Gaza in just three days this week as it had in the entire month of October. Other U.N. agencies and aid groups have also begun distributing medical supplies and fuel, while efforts to repair critical infrastructure are underway. Additionally, bakeries are expected to resume bread production soon.
With the cease-fire in place, Hamas-affiliated civilian police officers have re-emerged, restoring some level of security to the enclave. However, this renewed control by Hamas may complicate the prospects for long-term peace.
The Israeli government agency responsible for Gaza policy did not provide comments regarding aid since the cease-fire, maintaining that it was not restricting aid and attributing distribution failures to humanitarian agencies. Since the cease-fire began, between 600 and 900 truckloads of aid have entered Gaza daily, a significant increase compared to the few dozen trucks that had been arriving previously.
One resident, Kholoud al-Shanna, expressed gratitude for receiving flour after two months but noted the ongoing lack of basic necessities, such as fresh vegetables. Improvements have been noted, with some commercial goods, including fresh produce, entering Gaza this week.
Despite the influx of aid, distribution remains challenging due to damaged infrastructure and the presence of unexploded ordnance. Aid officials indicate that sustaining the current rate of deliveries will be difficult without broader support, as the United Nations alone cannot manage the logistics of aid distribution.
Concerns regarding the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) persist, as Israel has moved to restrict the agency's operations over allegations of ties to Hamas, despite its crucial role in aid distribution.
The scale of the humanitarian crisis requires a substantial increase in aid to stabilize the population and prevent further loss of life. Aid officials emphasize that while supplies are beginning to flow, they are still insufficient to meet the vast needs of the population.
Some logistical challenges are easing, as Israel has allowed for a greater influx of aid and reduced restrictions on the movement of aid workers within Gaza. However, Israel continues to prohibit the entry of certain items deemed “dual use,” and discussions about lifting additional restrictions are ongoing.
Looting has previously hindered aid distribution, but the situation appears to be improving as police patrols resume in Gaza. Although some looting persists, it occurs on a much smaller scale. Residents have expressed hope that the increased availability of aid will reduce the incentive for theft.