Nearly 100 trucks carrying essential aid supplies for Palestinians in Gaza were hijacked and looted by armed gangs over the weekend, marking the largest such attack since the conflict began over 13 months ago. The convoy, which included thousands of tonnes of food provided by UN agencies such as UNRWA and the World Food Programme (WFP), was targeted after entering Gaza on Saturday, according to UN officials and local sources.
Louise Wateridge, senior emergency officer for UNRWA, confirmed that 98 of the 109 trucks in the convoy were looted, with some transporters injured during the attack. The incident underscores the growing challenges of delivering aid to the region. “Without immediate intervention, severe food shortages will worsen, endangering the lives of over 2 million people reliant on aid,” Wateridge said.
Community leaders in central Gaza reported that local residents fought back against the looters—who were armed with automatic weapons—and managed to recover some stolen trucks, which were returned to the WFP. However, the attack caused critical supply shortages, forcing bakeries in the region to halt bread production for nearly 1 million people.
The Internally Displaced Civilians Association (IDCA) criticized Israeli authorities for allegedly ignoring warnings about armed gangs operating along aid routes. They claimed that alternative, safer routes had been proposed but were rejected. The convoy was reportedly forced to take an unfamiliar route from the Kerem Shalom border crossing at short notice, per instructions from Israeli authorities.
Rising Chaos in Gaza
Gaza’s worsening anarchy has created a power vacuum filled by armed gangs, criminal networks, and powerful families. The 13-month-long Israeli military offensive has removed Hamas from power in many areas, but no governing body has replaced it. The systematic targeting of Gaza’s police force, considered part of Hamas by Israel, and the early release of prisoners by militant groups have further exacerbated the lawlessness.
UN officials attribute recent attacks on aid convoys to well-organized crime groups, describing the looting as “purely for profit.” A senior aid official remarked, “This isn’t about desperate families. This is organized crime, targeting supplies paid for by member states.”
Dire Humanitarian Conditions
With over 80% of Gaza’s 2.3 million residents displaced and two-thirds of buildings damaged or destroyed, the humanitarian situation is described as “apocalyptic.” Aid distribution remains perilous, with many routes impassable due to security risks. The besieged northern region is particularly difficult to reach, further complicating relief efforts.
An Israeli official defended the country’s actions, blaming aid agencies for mismanagement while asserting that Israel has taken steps to address the humanitarian crisis. Meanwhile, WFP and other agencies continue to face logistical and security challenges in delivering aid to the devastated territory.
The ongoing conflict, which began after Hamas-led attacks in southern Israel last year, has left Gaza’s population in an increasingly dire state, with little sign of resolution.