UNRWA Pauses Aid into Gaza as Looting Problems Continue

Latest Developments

• UN Agency Halts Aid Shipments through Kerem Shalom Crossing: United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) Commissioner-General Philipe Lazzarini announced on December 1 that the organization is “pausing the delivery of aid” into Gaza through its main crossing point at Kerem Shalom on the Israeli side of the border. He went on to list reasons for the cessation of deliveries, including an “ongoing siege, hurdles from Israeli authorities, political decisions to restrict the amounts of aid, lack of safety on aid routes, and targeting of local police.” Lazzarini said that the “few food trucks” brought in by UNRWA on November 30 were all looted.

• Israel Responds to UNRWA: In response to Lazzarini, the IDF’s unit for the Coordination of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT) noted that “only 7 percent of the aid” that was delivered to Gaza in November was the responsibility of UNRWA. COGAT added that “dozens of humanitarian organizations” are currently operating in Gaza to deliver humanitarian aid to civilians. Lazzarini acknowledged last month that “the trucks being brought in by UNRWA could be brought in by anyone else.”

• Looting of Aid Trucks Continues to Plague Gazan Relief Efforts: The IDF has periodically raised concerns over the ongoing threat of the armed looting of aid convoys in Gaza, even launching air strikes against individuals involved in the hijackings. In May, the United Nations suspended aid deliveries and was forced to change its routes from a U.S.-built pier after concerns were raised over looting. In another instance on November 16, a large convoy of 109 aid trucks was violently looted in Gaza. Israel continues to accuse Hamas of hijacking the aid deliveries.

FDD Expert Response

“Two scenarios may be unfolding in Gaza concerning UNRWA aid. Hamas may be continuing its practice of siphoning off humanitarian aid to sustain itself and generate revenue through the black market. Alternatively, Hamas could have lost control of the routes UNRWA aid trucks use, leading to the rise of organized crime in its place. If the latter proves true, Israel may view this as an additional indication of Hamas’s waning power, potentially strengthening the Jewish state’s position in negotiations for a ceasefire on its terms.” — Joe Truzman, Senior Research Analyst and Editor at FDD’s Long War Journal

“UNRWA continues to prioritize self-preservation over the interests of the Palestinians. The UN agency employs Hamas terrorists who participated in the October 7 massacre, has turned a blind eye to Hamas operating in or near its facilities, teaches antisemitism, and nurtures Palestinian maximalist demands. Thousands of Palestinians acted on these UNRWA-indulged fantasies on October 7, 2023, pillaging, killing, and raping their way through southern Israel. Ultimately, if UNRWA truly cared about helping the Palestinians, the agency would step aside and let one of several less politicized humanitarian organizations provide for the Palestinians.” — David May, Research Manager and Senior Research Analyst

“UNRWA spends more time delivering propaganda than aid these days, as Israel has dramatically reduced the Hamas front group’s role. Still, it takes some gall to oppose Israel’s attempts to dislodge Hamas control of humanitarian aid while then complaining about the inability to deliver aid without looting. It’s long past time for UNRWA’s donors to abandon the terror-collaborating agency and support secure non-Hamas distribution channels instead.” — Richard Goldberg, Senior Advisor