Thousands of aid boxes containing essential supplies are stranded in Jordan, Egypt, and Israel, with humanitarian organizations expressing concern over the limited aid reaching Gaza post the Hamas-Israel ceasefire deal. As winter approaches, many people in Gaza are still living in deteriorating makeshift tents following Israel’s devastating two-year offensive.
Angelita Caredda, the Regional Director for the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) in the Middle East and North Africa, stressed the urgent need to protect families from the harsh weather conditions. Despite the ceasefire starting on October 10, Israeli authorities have rejected 23 requests from nine aid agencies to bring in crucial shelter materials like tents, bedding, and kitchen sets.
The NRC highlighted that millions of shelter and non-food items are awaiting approval in neighboring countries, leaving around 1.5 million people in Gaza exposed to worsening conditions. The ceasefire, aimed at facilitating aid deliveries and food distribution, came after reports of famine in Gaza, where a vast majority lost their homes due to Israeli attacks.
Challenges persist as Gaza’s local administration, largely controlled by Hamas, reports that most aid trucks are not reaching their intended destinations due to Israeli restrictions. The World Food Program (WFP) indicates that only half of the required food supplies have entered Gaza, with concerns over a lack of diverse food items like meat, eggs, and vegetables.
While some improvements have been noted since the ceasefire, including decreased malnutrition rates among children, disparities persist between different regions in Gaza. The urgency to address the humanitarian crisis is underscored by the upcoming winter months and ongoing challenges in accessing essential resources.
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