Israeli airstrikes have reportedly killed at least six Palestinians guarding aid trucks from looters in Gaza, according to Hamas officials. The incident highlights the significant challenges in delivering essential supplies to a population facing severe hunger following an 11-week-long blockade.
The Israeli military reported that 107 trucks carrying flour, food, and medical supplies entered Gaza via the Kerem Shalom crossing on Thursday. However, distributing the aid to those in need has been difficult.
According to a network of Palestinian aid groups, 119 aid trucks have entered Gaza since Israel eased its blockade on Monday following international pressure. However, looting by armed groups near Khan Younis has hindered distribution efforts.
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The aid network condemned the looting of food intended for children and families facing severe hunger, as well as the Israeli airstrikes targeting security teams protecting the trucks.
A Hamas official stated that six members of a security team guarding the shipments were killed in the airstrikes. There was no immediate comment from the Israeli military.
The aid groups network also stated that the amount of aid entering Gaza remains insufficient and limited in scope. They described Israel’s agreement to allow trucks to enter as a “deceptive maneuver” to deflect international pressure to fully lift the blockade.
The U.N. World Food Programme (WFP) reported that 15 trucks carrying flour to WFP-supported bakeries had been looted.
“Hunger, desperation and anxiety over whether more food aid is coming is contributing to rising insecurity,” the WFP said, urging Israel to allow far greater volumes of food into Gaza more quickly, consistently, and safely. “As WFP has said previously, two million people are facing extreme hunger and famine without immediate action”.
Israel claims to have allowed around 300 trucks to enter Gaza, but aid groups say this is far short of what is needed to alleviate hunger. Many trucks have been held up at the Kerem Shalom crossing, and international pressure is mounting to expedite the delivery of supplies.
A German government spokesperson described the aid as “far too little, too late and too slow,” calling for a significant increase in the delivery of supplies.
The Israeli military reported conducting more strikes in Gaza overnight, hitting 75 targets, including weapons storage facilities and rocket launchers. Palestinian medical services reported at least 25 fatalities in the strikes.
Israel imposed its blockade on Gaza in early March, accusing Hamas of stealing aid intended for civilians, shortly before breaking a two-month-old ceasefire. Hamas denies the accusation and claims its fighters have been killed protecting the trucks from looters.
Israel launched its military campaign in Gaza following a Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, which resulted in approximately 1,200 deaths in Israel and the abduction of 251 hostages. The Israeli campaign has killed more than 53,600 Palestinians, according to Gaza health authorities, and caused widespread devastation. Aid groups report widespread severe malnutrition.