The UN refugee agency, UNRWA, has reported a second incident of mass theft from its warehouses since the outbreak of the war in Gaza. This theft highlights the challenges in controlling humanitarian aid delivery to the Gaza Strip, particularly under American pressure. Another 20 trucks had entered just this morning, coinciding with the publication of this announcement.

The United Nations agency UNRWA, which officially aims to provide aid to Palestinian refugees, appears to acknowledge that some of these "refugees" have homes they have been forced to leave. On Sunday morning, UNRWA reported that thousands of people had broken into several of its warehouses and distribution centers in the central and southern parts of the Gaza Strip. The stolen items included wheat flour and essential survival items like hygiene supplies. Notably, one of the warehouses that was breached, located in Deir Al-Balah, stored supplies from humanitarian convoys originating in Egypt and passing through the Rafah crossing—a route that the United States exerted heavy pressure on Israel to allow.

CNN footage apparently showing Gazans looting storerooms of the corrupt #UNRWA yesterday.
UNRWA in Gaza is completely controlled by Hamas.#UNRWAisascam#HamasisISIS#October7massacre pic.twitter.com/FjY1kmpmzG

— Imshin (@imshin) October 29, 2023

UNRWA considers these thefts from its warehouses as "an alarming sign that civil order is beginning to break down after three weeks of war and a tight siege on Gaza." Thomas White, Director of UNRWA Affairs in the Gaza Strip, expressed concerns about the deteriorating situation: "People are scared, frustrated, and desperate. The tension and fear are worsening due to disrupted communication lines, leaving them feeling isolated from their families in Gaza and the rest of the world."

White further explained, "The supply in the market is running out, while the humanitarian aid entering the Gaza Strip from Egypt is insufficient. The communities' needs are immense, even for basic survival, yet the aid we receive is meager and inconsistent."

However, these thefts also raise questions about UNRWA's ability to monitor the distribution of humanitarian equipment within the Gaza Strip and ensure it doesn't fall into the hands of the terrorist organization Hamas, which continues to hold over 220 hostages and launch rockets towards Israel.

Hamas has prepared for this war for months, they have reserves of supplies for months. They have 1 million liters of fuel in reserves.

Hamas does not share it with Gazans in need or @UNRWA, rather uses it for terror #HamasisISIS pic.twitter.com/Vykj4hivfE

— Israel ישראל 🇮🇱 (@Israel) October 23, 2023

So far, more than 80 aid trucks have entered Gaza, and Israeli officials have confirmed that they underwent inspections before entry. UNRWA accepts these inspections as necessary to prevent weapons from entering Gaza. Additionally, Israel has decided not to allow the import of fuel. White concluded, "Very few trucks, slow processes, strict inspections, inadequate supplies, and the ongoing fuel ban create a recipe for a failing system. We call for a consistent and steady flow of humanitarian supplies into the Gaza Strip to address the growing tensions and frustrations."