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Over eighty-six percent of relief supplies intended for Gaza's inhabitants get pilfered en route, claims United Nations report.

Rampant Pillaging of Aid Endangers Thousands of Civilians in the Region

Almost ninety-six percent of international humanitarian assistance destined for Gaza gets...
Almost ninety-six percent of international humanitarian assistance destined for Gaza gets misappropriated before it can be distributed to those in need, according to the United Nations.

Over eighty-six percent of relief supplies intended for Gaza's inhabitants get pilfered en route, claims United Nations report.

In the war-torn Gaza Strip, a recent evacuation order issued by the Israeli army has sparked controversy and raised serious concerns about its impact on ongoing humanitarian efforts. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) strongly condemns the order, viewing it as a "mass expulsion order" and a "devastating blow to humanitarian efforts" in the region.

The evacuation order affects approximately 50,000 to 80,000 people in the area, including thousands of internally displaced persons living in tents. The UNOPS, which represents the UN in this context, shares OCHA's concerns, stating that the order is a significant setback for ongoing humanitarian efforts in Gaza.

Between May 31 and the issuance of the evacuation order, 90 trucks carrying around 1695 tons of aid were looted in a single day. Only 260 of these trucks reached their final destinations, highlighting the prevalence of aid theft in the region.

The current causes of humanitarian aid theft and mismanagement in Gaza are complex and multifaceted. Armed theft by Hamas and other groups, UN system weaknesses, and chaotic distribution exacerbated by Israeli-imposed blockades and restrictions are significant factors contributing to the problem. Multiple reports confirm extensive looting of aid trucks, with figures suggesting that 85-90% of aid trucks have been stolen or diverted since May 2025, often by armed Hamas operatives or black market actors.

The UN's aid distribution system has been criticized for its failures and alleged cooperation with Hamas, which some claim enabled misappropriation of aid. Meanwhile, the Israeli-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) has faced severe criticism for its militarized management, crowd violence, and inefficient aid delivery under tight Israeli control.

Solutions to this pressing issue remain politically and operationally contentious. Proposed solutions include the establishment of the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation to take aid distribution out of Hamas' hands, with a system controlled by Israel and the US, aiming for direct delivery to civilians. However, this approach has raised humanitarian concerns about violence and dignity.

International and medical groups, such as MSF, have called for the dismantling of militarized distribution points and the end of the Israeli siege to allow free flow of aid trucks into Gaza, which would reduce chaotic conditions and looting risks.

Continued "coordination" by Israeli authorities on aid delivery routes, including planned airdrops, is another proposed solution, though these are limited and not seen as sufficient to meet needs. The need for improved monitoring, transparency, and cooperation between UN agencies, local actors, and international bodies to ensure aid reaches intended civilians without diversion or theft is also crucial.

In summary, the issue is caused by a combination of armed theft by Hamas and other groups, inadequate UN control, and blockade-induced scarcity fueling looting and black market activities. Solutions remain politically and operationally contentious, involving attempts at militarized management, calls for siege lifting, and demands for improved distribution transparency.

[1] Liter.kz [2] The Fox [3] MSF [4] USAID [5] Various UN reports

  1. The evacuation order in Gaza, amidst ongoing war-and-conflicts, is causing a stir in the political arena, as it threatens to derail humanitarian efforts and intensify concerns over crime-and-justice, such as aid-theft, in the region.
  2. The complex issue of aid mismanagement in the Gaza Strip, involving crimes like looting and diversion, is a matter of general-news interest for international organizations like MSF, USAID, and various UN agencies, who are advocating for increased transparency and cooperation to mitigate the problem.

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