Thousands of Palestinians stormed a UN warehouse in central Gaza on Wednesday in a desperate scramble for food, as the World Food Programme (WFP) reported two possible deaths and several injuries during the chaos in Deir Al-Balah.
AFP footage showed crowds looting bags of emergency supplies while gunfire echoed nearby. The WFP confirmed the break-in at its Al-Ghafari warehouse, describing the situation as “tragic,” with reports of two fatalities still being verified.
The humanitarian crisis in Gaza has deepened after 600 days of war, with aid only now trickling in after months of blockade. Experts warn that one in five people faces starvation.
Blame over the crisis escalated Wednesday, with Israel accusing the UN of obstructing new aid channels, particularly the US-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), while the UN insisted on maintaining neutrality and humanitarian principles.
UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said fewer than 500 of the 800 trucks approved by Israel last week had entered Gaza. Meanwhile, the UN condemned the GHF’s role after a Tuesday incident where 47 were injured and at least one person reportedly killed during another aid rush.
As desperation grows, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed the offensive had reshaped the region, citing the killing of key Hamas figures, including Mohammed Sinwar. In contrast, Gazans like Bassam Daloul expressed despair. “Even hoping for a ceasefire feels like a dream and a nightmare,” he said.
In Tel Aviv, calls for a ceasefire grew louder, with hostage families urging action and accusing the government of endangering captives.
The war’s toll continues to climb, with Gaza’s health ministry reporting 54,084 deaths since October 2023, most of them civilians.
AFP footage showed crowds looting bags of emergency supplies while gunfire echoed nearby. The WFP confirmed the break-in at its Al-Ghafari warehouse, describing the situation as “tragic,” with reports of two fatalities still being verified.
The humanitarian crisis in Gaza has deepened after 600 days of war, with aid only now trickling in after months of blockade. Experts warn that one in five people faces starvation.
Blame over the crisis escalated Wednesday, with Israel accusing the UN of obstructing new aid channels, particularly the US-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), while the UN insisted on maintaining neutrality and humanitarian principles.
UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said fewer than 500 of the 800 trucks approved by Israel last week had entered Gaza. Meanwhile, the UN condemned the GHF’s role after a Tuesday incident where 47 were injured and at least one person reportedly killed during another aid rush.
As desperation grows, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed the offensive had reshaped the region, citing the killing of key Hamas figures, including Mohammed Sinwar. In contrast, Gazans like Bassam Daloul expressed despair. “Even hoping for a ceasefire feels like a dream and a nightmare,” he said.
In Tel Aviv, calls for a ceasefire grew louder, with hostage families urging action and accusing the government of endangering captives.
The war’s toll continues to climb, with Gaza’s health ministry reporting 54,084 deaths since October 2023, most of them civilians.
