Israel has revived its line earlier this week that they deliver plenty of aid into Gaza, but the UN agencies have been leaving the aid at the border, incompetently not picking it up. The IDF took journalists to the Kerem Shalom crossing, so they could take photos of pallets of boxes unloaded from 950 trucks. The ugliness behind such a contrived show, only credible for those in the West who are hoping to be lied to, is revolting. However, the actual problem is key to the next few days, as to whether Israel actually cooperates to remedy such logjams.
First, the preliminaries:
Were everything picked up at the moment of delivery, still Israel has only allowed into Gaza about 70 trucks/day. They state as much. That is about 14% of the normal, pre-October 7, 2023 level.
Next, the UN and associated entities, working with the civilian part of the elected Hamas government (not the Hamas military) demonstrably had no trouble delivering 500 trucks/day before 10/7/23, nor any overwhelming trouble delivering whatever was allowed in since—that is, up until this March when they were booted out.
Third, with regular deliveries, even in reduced amounts, the Gaza population was not put into a “hunger games” competition mode. And when there were physical confrontations from some criminal types moving in on the aid, quite frankly the Hamas-run civilian police force restored order, arresting the offenders. However, the IDF has targeted for elimination those same police, leaving the aid an easier target for gangs. Hence, a lawless situation has prevailed, where Israeli practices have allowed, and in some cases even encouraged, the splurge of gang activity.
Finally, the UN and associated agencies have been clear that, with regular delivery of sufficient aid, the induced “mob” mentality is dried up. It is obvious, but with all the crazy allegations, it needs to be stated.
