Israel Urges UN to Scale Up Humanitarian Aid Efforts at Gaza Crossings

Israel has called on the United Nations to increase its efforts in distributing humanitarian aid as supplies continue to pile up at Gaza's border crossings. On Thursday, the military’s Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT) issued a statement urging the UN to enhance its logistical capabilities for collecting and distributing aid.

“On the Gazan side of the Kerem Shalom Crossing, where over 1,000 trucks are awaiting collection and distribution, here too in the JLOTS collection and distribution compound, there are hundreds of aid pallets awaiting collection and distribution by the UN aid agencies,” the statement read. COGAT emphasized that while Israel continues its efforts, it is now the UN's responsibility to complete the distribution process.

COGAT also shared a video on social media showing hundreds of aid pallets sitting unused in the sun. “This is an aerial view of the loading and unloading area of the JLOTS,” COGAT tweeted, referencing a $230 million offshore pier built by the US Navy. “Here too, just like the Gazan side of Kerem Shalom, pallets of aid are waiting to be picked up and distributed by the UN aid agencies for days.”

According to COGAT, 285 aid trucks have been transferred to Gaza via the Kerem Shalom and Erez crossings. However, only 88 trucks were collected by UN aid agencies and the private sector—33 from the Erez crossing and 55 from Kerem Shalom. The contents of 1,100 aid trucks remain uncollected at Kerem Shalom.

The distribution of aid has faced numerous challenges and controversies. Reports have emerged of Palestinians smuggling cigarettes hidden in aid deliveries and attacking convoys to access the tobacco. These attacks have contributed to the backlog of over 1,000 undelivered aid truckloads at Kerem Shalom.

Meanwhile, the US-built offshore pier, constructed at a cost of $230 million, will be dismantled weeks ahead of schedule due to high seas and security concerns. The pier was operational for only 10 days.

A recently released report by a UN committee of experts found no evidence of famine in Gaza, while an Israeli academic study concluded that Hamas poses the biggest threat to food security in the region. In April, Hamas slashed food prices, but Gaza residents indicated that the main issue was a lack of money to purchase food, not a shortage of supplies.

The situation remains dire following the October 7 attacks by Hamas on Israeli communities near the Gaza border, which resulted in over 1,200 deaths and the abduction of 252 Israelis and foreigners. Of the 116 remaining hostages, more than 30 are believed to be dead.

Please share this important update and consider subscribing to our newsletter for more news and insights on the ongoing situation in Israel.