Hunger in Gaza is out of control: people storm a UN warehouse, there are casualties

The humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip reached a new tragic point on May 28. According to a statement by the UN World Food Program (WFP) on its social media, “hundreds of starving civilians” stormed the organization’s food warehouse in Gaza. The incident directly demonstrates that hunger has crossed the threshold of a catastrophic situation and that humanitarian assistance is not being provided adequately.

According to initial reports, at least two people were killed and several others were injured in the incident. Mass riots and panic at the warehouse led to clashes, stampedes and the use of force.

The WFP statement noted that “Gaza has been under a complete blockade for more than 80 days. Food and other aid have been stopped. This has caused the humanitarian needs of the population to spiral out of control.”

The organization is demanding “safe and unhindered access for humanitarian organizations” to Gaza in order to organize the delivery of food. They are calling on Israel and other international organizations to act together.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) responded to these events through their official pages. On May 27, they announced that more than 400 trucks with humanitarian aid had arrived in Gaza and were now “awaiting distribution by the UN.”

The IDF said that “logistics and security protocols are fully in place,” but that the UN “still refuses to fulfill its duties.” At the same time, the COGAT structure within the Israeli Defense Ministry is also involved in coordinating the work.

These events have once again highlighted the dire humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip and the drastic measures that the people are being forced to take to save lives. Disagreements between the UN, Israel and other international organizations are hindering the timely delivery of aid.