WFP: UN Trucks Carrying Aid for Northern Gaza Blocked by Israeli Forces

The World Food Programme (WFP) attempted to deliver food aid to northern Gaza, but the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) blocked the attempt.

The UN agency reported that a convoy of 14 lorries was denied passage at a checkpoint and subsequently robbed by groups of individuals in dire need, as per BBC News.

US Airdrop to Aid Crisis-Hit Gaza

(Photo : Ahmad Hasaballah/Getty Images)
RAFAH, GAZA - OCTOBER 21: The entry of humanitarian aid arrives through the Rafah land crossing into the Gaza Strip on October 21, 2023 in Rafah, Gaza. Two weeks after a deadly Hamas attack in southern Israel that sparked a retaliatory siege of Gaza, in which thousands have died and hundreds of thousands have been displaced, aid trucks have started entering the Palestinian territory via Egypt carrying food, water and medicines. The UN agency UNRWA, or the Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees, says the initial aid is a "drop in the ocean" of what is needed.

In a response to the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza, the United States initiated a crucial airdrop operation, delivering 36,800 meals to the region. Coordinated by US soldiers and facilitated through three C-130 Hercules planes, the airdrop aimed to alleviate the growing crisis exacerbated by recent incidents.

According to Air Force Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder, a Pentagon spokesman, this mission is part of a sustained effort to increase aid flow into Gaza, with a focus on expanding access through land corridors and routes. The initiative follows a tragic incident on Thursday, where Israeli troops fired upon Palestinians rushing to an aid convoy, resulting in 115 casualties and over 750 injuries, as reported by Gaza's Hamas-run health ministry.

President Joe Biden authorized the aid on Friday, and the first drop, consisting of over 38,000 meals, occurred on Saturday. In a statement, Biden emphasized the ongoing commitment, stating that in the coming days, the US will collaborate with Jordan and other allies to conduct additional airdrops of food and supplies. Furthermore, Biden expressed the intention to explore alternative avenues, potentially including a marine corridor.

As part of a larger regional responsibility, the United States is exploring the possibility of using maritime aid shipments, including commercial or contracted vessels for aid delivery. This decision comes as a response to the problems encountered by aid trucks entering Gaza, resulting in a decrease in daily truck numbers from 200 to 30-120, as stated by Pentagon spokeswoman Sabrina Singh, according to Military Times.

Gaza's Humanitarian Crisis

The humanitarian situation in Gaza has been described as "horrific" by officials, with dwindling aid supplies and an increasing risk of famine. Gaza's few functioning hospitals, already overwhelmed by the wounded, are now witnessing an influx of starving children.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken engaged in discussions with Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz, urging for the opening of another border crossing into Gaza to facilitate the urgent entry of aid. While Gantz described the meeting as "very good," details about the potential opening of a new border crossing remain unclear.

As the crisis deepens, the US is actively involved in ceasefire talks in Cairo. Blinken, in discussions with Gantz, emphasized the urgency of reaching an agreement. Miller, a representative of the US government, stated that the obstacles to a ceasefire agreement are not insurmountable and highlighted the proposal put forth by Israel, the United States, Qatar, and Egypt, urging Hamas to consider it.

Ceasefire talks in Cairo, where Hamas negotiators have stayed for a third day, aim to secure a deal before the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan. The proposed 40-day ceasefire could see the release of hostages captured in the October attack, increased aid to Gaza, and the return of families to abandoned homes, offering a glimmer of hope in a region gripped by a devastating humanitarian crisis, Reuters reported.