A rare look at Gaza shows the challenges complicating the humanitarian crisis
South of the Gaza Strip – In a rare visit to the war-torn Palestinian territory, CBS News visited a critical aid distribution center inside the Gaza Strip near the Karem Shalom border crossing from Israel on Wednesday. The humanitarian crisis After more than a year of Israel-Hamas war in Gaza he says he stays.
Israeli officials say an average of about 200 trucks cross from Israel to Gaza through the Kerem Shalom crossing every day, carrying much-needed supplies for Palestinian civilians caught in the crossfire of the ongoing conflict.
But a pressing question remains: is aid reaching those most in need?
Truck drivers and aid workers at the distribution center spoke to CBS News about the struggles they face, including the looting of humanitarian goods, which remains a significant problem in Gaza. Chaos and lawlessness in the region often prevent supplies from reaching their intended recipients.
“The aid is not getting through because gangs intercept it on the way,” said Mohammad Shehibar, a Palestinian logistics coordinator from Gaza City’s al-Rimal neighborhood, who spoke to us as he supervised workers loading new trucks. fruit.
According to him, “only 70 or 60 of the 100 trucks that left this area reached their destination.” The rest were looted, he said.
“The only guarantee for the safe delivery of aid is that there is some stability in Gaza,” he said. “They (the gangs) are positioned close to the border… close to the (Israeli) army… and they don’t face any problems.”
International aid agencies We also complained that it was not enough help It enters the Gaza Strip.
Last Sunday on CBS News’ “Face The Nation with Margaret Brennan,” Cindy McCainThe head of the World Food Program said his organization was only able to get two aid trucks from the crossing in November.
“This is not true,” said Colonel Abdullah Halabi, head of Israel’s Gaza Coordination and Liaison Administration. “The humanitarian community has managed to move an average of 200 trucks into central and southern Gaza over the past two weeks as we develop facilities around Gaza, as in other crossings.”
Israeli officials insist that large amounts of aid are flowing into Gaza. They highlight the challenges of delivering supplies in an active combat zone and call for more assistance from the international community to ensure safe passage and effective distribution within the area. a destroyed enclave.
Israel launched a military attack on Gaza after the brutal attack by Hamas October 7, 2023It caused the death of 1200 people. More than 100 pledges Those captured by Hamas are still being held. since the beginning of the war In Gaza, at least 44,580 Palestinians According to the Ministry of Health, which is run by Hamas, most of the residents were killed and displaced.
The danger was palpable during our visit, with gunfire echoing nearby. Aid truck drivers are risking their lives to navigate dangerous conditions in Gaza created by crumbling infrastructure and security threats, highlighting the enormous challenges faced by both aid agencies and the Gazan civilian population.
However, there has been cautious hope lately, as reports suggest that ongoing negotiations for a deal to release the hostages could lead to a temporary ceasefire and an increase in humanitarian aid to Gaza.
If such a deal goes through, distribution centers on the Gaza side of the Kerem Shalom crossing could soon be overflowing with additional supplies, offering a lifeline to those in need.
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