Middle East crisis Gaza war

Aid to Gaza Blocked by Extremists

The Israeli far-right group Tzav 9 blocked the road for trucks carrying aid to Gaza this morning, Israeli media reports.

Trucks at the port in the city of Ashdod north of Gaza had just been loaded with supplies from the UN agency Unrwa when the group blocked their way to the Gaza Strip.

The group wants to block the aid until all Israeli hostages have been released by Hamas, which is labeled a terrorist group.

“You will not get a slice of bread until you return the hostages,” the group wrote, according to Haaretz.

The police were later able to disperse the protesters and the trucks were able to continue on their way.

UN: Has no idea if emergency aid has been distributed in Gaza

The Israeli-backed organization Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) claims that it has distributed food shipments in Gaza – but the UN has no idea if that is true, The Guardian reports.

The humanitarian agency OCHA and the Palestinian agency Unrwa both stated at a press conference that they had no knowledge of whether the aid had actually been distributed.

– We have no information. We know what is needed, we know what is missing, and we are very, very far from that goal, says Unrwa spokesperson Juliette Touma.

According to Unrwa, at least 500 to 600 fully loaded trucks with food, medicine, vaccines, fuel, water and other necessities are needed.

Thousands stormed emergency aid centers in southern Gaza

Thousands of desperate Gazans have stormed a newly opened center for the distribution of emergency aid outside Rafah, AFP and AP journalists report on the spot.

Firing from Israeli weapons and tanks has been heard. In total, hundreds of thousands of Palestinians are said to have crossed Israeli military lines to receive emergency aid.

It is unclear whether anyone was injured.

The center is run by the newly formed, Israeli-backed humanitarian organization Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF). The UN has distanced itself from GHF, which it accuses of being run by Israel without any Palestinian involvement.

According to GHF, Hamas was behind the blockade of the center, and it is stated that normal operations have resumed.