By Bunmi Yekini
The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) has reported the looting of a major humanitarian aid convoy in Gaza, describing the incident as evidence of a worsening collapse of civil order. The 109-truck convoy, delivering essential supplies, was attacked on Saturday, with 97 trucks forcibly unloaded at gunpoint, according to UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini.
“More than 100 trucks have been looted, primarily [carrying goods for] UNRWA and the WFP, basically 80-90 percent of the convoy on that day,” said Mr. Lazzarini in a statement. “This shows the total breakdown of civil order. Four or five months ago, we still had local capacity to escort convoys. That capacity is now completely gone.”
UNRWA has accused Israeli authorities of failing to fulfill their legal obligations under international law to ensure the safe delivery of aid. “Such responsibilities continue when trucks enter the Gaza Strip, until people are reached with essential assistance,” the agency said in a post on X.
The crisis in Gaza continues to worsen under ongoing Israeli bombardments, with recent airstrikes targeting residential buildings in Beit Lahia, killing dozens, including children. UN-supported bakeries, crucial for providing food to millions, are shutting down due to critical flour shortages. “Without immediate intervention, severe food shortages will worsen, further endangering the lives of over two million people who depend on humanitarian aid to survive,” the agency warned.
At a meeting in Geneva, Mr. Lazzarini highlighted the catastrophic implications of dismantling UNRWA, which provides essential services like education, healthcare, and livelihoods for Palestine refugees. “If we dismantle the agency without a viable alternative in place, we will create a vacuum, depriving hundreds of thousands of children of education and sowing seeds for more extremism and hate in the future,” he said.
Antón Leis, Chair of the Advisory Committee and Executive Director of the Spanish Agency for International Cooperation, echoed this sentiment. “UNRWA is irreplaceable and indispensable for six million Palestine refugees across the Middle East. Disinformation campaigns targeting UNRWA are undermining its vital work,” he emphasized.
In a chilling example of escalating hostility, Mr. Lazzarini shared an incident where a female staff member was harassed by Israeli soldiers at her home. “When they realized she worked for UNRWA, they accused her of working for a terrorist organization,” he said.
As global tensions rise, Mr. Lazzarini called for renewed efforts to address Palestinian aspirations, cautioning that peace in the region cannot be achieved without resolving the issue. “Annexation without addressing Palestinian rights would not mean lasting peace,” he warned.