Thousands of People Storm Food Warehouses in Gaza as Civil Order Collapses, Says United Nations
In the midst of ongoing violence and a devastating humanitarian crisis, thousands of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip have resorted to breaking into food warehouses, according to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA). The agency reported that desperate Palestinians seized wheat, flour, and other basic goods, indicating that civil order is beginning to collapse.
The situation in Gaza has been grim for the past three weeks, with the region being subjected to a total siege and relentless bombing. “This is a worrying sign that civil order is starting to break down after three weeks of war and a tight siege,” said Thomas White, the UNRWA chief in Gaza.
The United Nations Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, has called for an end to the bloodshed and urged both sides to agree to a ceasefire. Guterres described the situation in Gaza as growing more desperate by the hour, criticizing Israel for intensifying its military operations instead of implementing a critically needed humanitarian pause.
Israel has imposed a total siege on the Gaza Strip, leaving its 2.3 million residents without access to food, water, or electricity. The Israeli government has allowed limited supplies of basic necessities and medicine, but the situation remains dire. Efforts are underway to increase the supply of essential items such as food, water, fuel, and medicine, as the enclave has been under intense bombing since October 7th.
UNRWA plays a crucial role in providing necessities in Gaza, with many displaced Palestinians seeking shelter in UNRWA schools. However, several hospitals have had to shut down, while others are on the verge of closing due to a lack of fuel. The aid received by the agency is described as meager and inconsistent, while supplies on the market are running out.
Juliette Touma, a spokesperson for UNRWA, revealed that the crowds broke into four facilities on Saturday. Although the warehouses did not contain any fuel, they held supplies from humanitarian convoys crossing into Gaza from Egypt. UNRWA Chief Thomas White highlighted the immense pressure faced by host communities, with some families accommodating up to 50 relatives seeking shelter in one household.
White further criticized the current system of convoys, describing it as destined to fail. He pointed out the limited number of trucks, slow processes, strict inspections, inadequate supplies, and, most importantly, the ongoing fuel ban as factors contributing to a failed system.
UNRWA’s ability to assist the people of Gaza has been severely stretched by airstrikes that have resulted in the deaths of over 50 of its staff members and restricted the movement of supplies. Over 613,000 of the 1.4 million internally displaced individuals in Gaza are currently seeking refuge in 150 UNRWA facilities throughout the blockaded territory.
The overcrowding, lack of privacy, and inadequate sanitation in these facilities have put them at risk of a severe public health crisis, further burdening an already overwhelmed healthcare system. Doctors and the Ministry of Health have described the situation as a total collapse.
As the situation in Gaza continues to deteriorate, urgent action and international support are required to save lives and restore order.