The besieged Gaza Strip faces a deepening food crisis as the looting of nearly 100 aid trucks has caused prices to soar, exacerbating already severe shortages amid the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas. The hijacking of 98 lorries from a 109-strong aid convoy by armed men this past weekend marked the largest such attack to date, further straining the flow of critical supplies to Gaza’s desperate population of 2.3 million, almost all of whom have been displaced from their homes.
Aid Shortages Worsen as Prices Skyrocket
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the amount of aid entering the Palestinian territory has plummeted to an 11-month low, despite a U.S. ultimatum last month demanding that more humanitarian supplies reach those in need. Margaret Harris, a WHO spokesperson, emphasized the increasing difficulty in delivering aid, stating, “It’s getting harder and harder to get the aid in.”
Official Israeli data reveals that so far in November, an average of just 88 trucks per day have been allowed to enter Gaza – a mere fraction of the 600 daily trucks that aid agencies say are necessary to meet basic needs. In the northern third of the strip, where Israeli forces are engaged in a weeks-long offensive that has killed hundreds and displaced tens of thousands, experts warn that famine conditions may have already set in.
Looting and Extortionate Prices
Aid agencies operating in Gaza face numerous challenges, including Israeli military activity, movement restrictions, and attacks targeting their employees. The UN estimates that armed gangs steal about one-third of all aid, reselling it at exorbitant prices. Before the war, a sack of flour cost 40 shekels (£8.40) and milk powder 30 shekels (£6.30). Now, in central and southern Gaza where most of the population has fled, prices have skyrocketed to 375 shekels (£80) for flour and 300 shekels (£64) for milk powder – if supplies can even be found.
There is a campaign against thieves, we see that. If the campaign continues and aid flows, the prices will go down because the stolen aid appears in the markets at high cost.
– Shaban, an engineer displaced from Gaza City to Deir al-Balah
Hamas Forms Anti-Looting Force
In response to the looting crisis and fears of famine, Hamas has established “the popular and revolutionary committees” – a new armed force tasked with combating thieves. Comprised of well-equipped Hamas fighters, allied groups, and local clans, the force has reportedly carried out 15 missions in which looters were ambushed and killed. A Hamas official stated that thefts had “severely affected society and led to signs of famine in southern Gaza,” warning that their operation marks the start of a wider campaign to address the issue.
Community leaders in central Gaza reported that locals had fought back against looters, retrieving some of the stolen UN World Food Programme trucks. Witnesses also described a firefight over the weekend in which Hamas fighters pursued and killed suspected thieves in a vehicle chase.
Faltering Ceasefire Talks as Lebanon Conflict Shows Progress
Meanwhile, ceasefire negotiations in the Gaza war have repeatedly stalled, with mediator Qatar announcing earlier this month that it would quit its role until Israel and Hamas demonstrate “willingness and seriousness.” In stark contrast, hopes are growing for a truce in the two-month war between Israel and Lebanon’s powerful Hezbollah militia.
During a visit to Beirut, U.S. envoy Amos Hochstein expressed optimism, stating that an agreement was “within our grasp” following “very constructive talks” with Lebanon’s parliament speaker Nabih Berri, a Hezbollah ally mediating on the group’s behalf. The proposal centers on the withdrawal of Hezbollah fighters and Israeli forces from the UN buffer zone separating the two countries, which would then be policed by additional UN peacekeepers and Lebanese troops. However, Israel’s insistence on maintaining “freedom of action” to respond to Hezbollah threats remains a sticking point that Lebanon is unlikely to accept.
As the looting of aid convoys pushes Gaza deeper into crisis and ceasefire talks falter, the humanitarian situation continues to deteriorate for the strip’s beleaguered population. The international community must redouble its efforts to ensure the safe and efficient delivery of life-saving aid while working towards a sustainable resolution to the conflict. Without urgent action, the specter of widespread famine looms ever larger over Gaza.