UN blames security collapse as aid deliveries to Gaza dry up

Source: Reuters

UN blames security collapse as aid deliveries to Gaza dry up

By Aidan Lewis
February 21, 2024 9:46 AM EST Updated 9 hours ago

Feb 21 (Reuters) - The flow of aid entering Gaza from Egypt has almost dried up in the past two weeks, and a collapse in security has made it increasingly difficult to distribute the food that does get through, according to U.N. data and officials.

Daily figures show a precipitous drop in aid supplies since Feb. 9 reaching Gaza, where the mostly displaced population of 2.3 million is facing crisis levels of hunger.

Before the conflict, Gaza relied on 500 trucks with supplies entering daily, and even during intense fighting in January around 200 aid trucks made it through on most days.

But according to the UN figures, from Feb. 9-20 the daily average fell to just 57 trucks. On seven of those 12 days, 20 or fewer trucks made it through, including just four trucks on Feb. 17.

Deliveries through the Rafah Crossing between Egypt and Gaza have been almost totally halted. While more trucks have occasionally arrived through Israel's Kerem Shalom crossing, they have frequently been disrupted by Israeli protesters seeking to block deliveries. The crossing was closed from Feb. 8-10 and Feb. 15-17.

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Read more: https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/un-blames-security-collapse-aid-deliveries-gaza-dry-up-2024-02-21/

Alternate no-paywall link: https://news.yahoo.com/un-blames-security-collapse-aid-144623352.html