The Struggle for Food in Gaza: Empty Pots and Looting

In Khan Younis, a poignant scene unfolded on Tuesday. Palestinians gathered at a soup kitchen, holding out their empty pots, desperately hoping for a warm meal of cooked rice. The dire situation in Gaza is marked by a severe shortage of food and supplies. In just a few days prior, nearly 100 trucks carrying essential food for Palestinians were brutally looted as they entered the enclave. This incident stands as one of the worst aid losses witnessed in the last 13 months of war, according to two U.N. agencies that shared this information with Reuters.

The Daily Battle for Food

One man at the soup kitchen expressed the gravity of the situation, stating that this was the only place where they received food daily. The looted convoy, which was transporting food provided by UNRWA and the World Food Programme, was instructed by Israel to leave at short notice via an unfamiliar route from the Kerem Shalom border crossing. Out of the 109 trucks in the convoy, an astonishing 98 were raided. Louise Wateridge, UNRWA's Senior Emergency Officer, also revealed that some of the transporters were injured during the incident, but the details of those who carried out the ambush remain unknown.

Gaza's armed forces, formed this month in response to public anger over aid seizures and price gouging, have been working to prevent gangs from pillaging aid convoys. Residents and sources close to the group claim that these forces have carried out repeated operations, ambushing looters and engaging in armed clashes. On Tuesday, dozens of Palestinians held a funeral for a member of Hamas security forces who lost his life the previous day in clashes with looters of food aid trucks.

Gazan Diyaa Al-nasasra emphasized the collective sentiment against the bandits and looters. However, people are often forced to buy from them due to the limited options. "You are, against your will, obliged to buy a flour bag from a thief for $53, which is lower than its normal price which has now reached $120 to $133, because you can't pay $133 for a bag of flour." This stark reality highlights the economic hardships faced by the people.

Pre-War and Present Prices

Before the war, a sack of flour sold for a relatively affordable $10 or $15. But now, the prices have skyrocketed, making it even more difficult for the people to meet their basic needs. In the West Bank, Adel Amr, the head of the haulers union, expressed his concern for the drivers making the trip to Gaza. "Of course, we get worried for the Gazan driver that comes to transfer the aids, and which are not merchandise, so he leaves his home risking his life not knowing if he will go back home from gangs and the thieves, and the armed gangs in Gaza." Amr also worried that the supplies they bring in might not reach the intended recipients.