In the video: 200 humanitarian aid trucks entered the international aid organizations operating in the Gaza Strip, November 25, 2023/MTP spokespeople
The Biden administration asked Israel not to attack policemen belonging to Hamas' blue police in Gaza who are escorting aid trucks in the Strip.
Senior American officials have warned Israel that a "total breakdown of law and order" is taking place in Gaza, which is significantly exacerbating the humanitarian crisis, so said three senior American and Israeli officials.
Senior American officials have warned Israel that a "total breakdown of law and order" is taking place in Gaza.
A Gaza resident eats/Reuters
why is it important
Senior American officials said that they are very concerned that "Gaza is becoming as stricken with chaos as Mogadishu" (Somalia's capital) and that the lack of law and order and the increase in desperation have created a wide area of operation for armed criminal gangs that loot the aid trucks, which further deteriorates the humanitarian crisis in the Strip.
The Biden administration warned the Israeli government of such a scenario several months ago, and urged Netanyahu to plan in advance who should take responsibility for the civil management of Gaza instead of Hamas, according to senior American officials.
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Senior American officials said that they are very concerned that "Gaza is becoming a chaos stricken like Mogadishu".
A Gazan girl carrying food/Reuters
In the news center
In recent weeks, there has been a significant decrease in the number of aid trucks entering the Gaza Strip, according to UN data. During at least four days in the last two weeks, less than 10 aid trucks entered the Gaza Strip.
The UN humanitarian coordinator in the West Bank and Gaza, James McGoldrick, said in a press briefing on Thursday that one of the main reasons for this situation is the security situation on both sides of the border.
According to him, police officers from the Hamas Blue Police operated at the Rafah crossing and on the Gaza side of the Kerem Shalom crossing to ensure the safety of the aid trucks.
But these policemen have left their positions in recent weeks after being attacked by Israel.
At least 11 policemen in the Hamas Blue Police in Rafah have been killed in recent weeks in Israeli attacks, according to senior American officials.
They noted that this situation created a window of opportunity for armed gangs who took over the aid.
The UN's humanitarian coordinator McGoldrick said that as a result of the security vacuum, most of the aid trucks that recently entered Gaza were looted by the same gangs or by desperate Palestinian residents who were looking for food in any way possible.
"Some of these trucks are sometimes blocked less than 200 meters from the crossing and robbed," McGoldrick said.
"The desperation in Gaza created serious challenges of law and order...and this affected the ability of the UN to act in providing aid to the population."
McGoldrick claimed that in light of the precarious security situation, the transfer of humanitarian aid to the northern Gaza Strip has become particularly difficult.
The UN asked Israel to open a crossing also in the north of the Gaza Strip so that the aid trucks could reach directly to the areas where there is the most urgent need for supplies without having to make the road from the south of the Gaza Strip. According to him, the UN also asked Israel for guarantees that it would not attack the Blue Police forces accompanying the trucks
"Some of these trucks are sometimes blocked less than 200 meters from the crossing and robbed."
Food distribution in Gaza/Reuters
Behind the Scenes
In recent days, senior officials in the Biden administration have expressed great concern to their counterparts in Israel and requested that Israel stop attacking Hamas' blue police officers as long as there is no alternative agency that can provide security for the humanitarian aid trucks, according to senior American and Israeli officials.
Israel rejected the request at this stage and claimed that one of the goals of the war is the elimination of Hamas's governing capacity in Gaza, senior Israeli officials said.
Senior Israeli officials said that they are working on plans for alternative ways to distribute humanitarian aid in Gaza, such as cooperation with local clans.
The IDF would like to start an experiment in the Zeytun neighborhood south of Gaza City.
However, American officials question the feasibility and practicality of these Israeli ideas, which so far do not seem to be reaching the realization stage anytime soon.
"The current situation in Gaza is simply not working. More food must enter the Gaza Strip or we will reach a situation where there is a famine in Gaza. If this happens, Israel will be affected dramatically," said an American official.
"If there is a food shortage in Gaza, Israel will be affected dramatically."
Gaza residents carry sacks of flour/Reuters
what are they saying
American Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin spoke by phone on Thursday with Defense Minister Yoav Galant and raised with him the American concerns regarding the Israeli attacks on the Hamas Blue Police.
Senior Israeli and American officials said Austin emphasized to Gallant that Israel needed to find a way to provide security for the aid trucks entering Gaza.
"Defense Secretary Austin raised the need to improve the coordination process with humanitarian organizations in Gaza and to ensure that more humanitarian aid reaches Palestinian citizens, at a time when looting and violence is hindering the movement of humanitarian convoys in Gaza," said Pentagon Deputy Spokesperson Sabrina Singh.
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United States
Gaza war
War of Iron Swords
Hamas
Gaza Strip
Joe Biden
Yoav Galant
The United Nations