A recent analysis conducted by the Associated Press reveals that the aid deliveries into Gaza are significantly below the required amount outlined in the U.S.-brokered ceasefire agreement. Despite the ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas stipulating the allowance of 600 aid trucks daily into Gaza, data from the Israeli military suggests that, on average, only 459 trucks have been entering the region daily since the resumption of aid flow on October 12.
According to the Israeli military body responsible for coordinating aid entry, COGAT, approximately 18,000 trucks carrying food assistance have entered Gaza since the ceasefire, constituting 70% of the total aid deliveries. When considering non-food items like tents and medicines, the total number of trucks entering Gaza is estimated to be slightly over 25,700, falling short of the expected 33,600 trucks by the specified deadline.
In response to the discrepancies highlighted in the AP analysis, COGAT has maintained that the daily truck entry numbers exceed 600 but did not provide further details explaining the discrepancies or release the raw data on truck entry. Humanitarian organizations have raised concerns that COGAT’s control over the crossings and exclusive access to aid flow information could be hindering transparency.
The United Nations and aid groups have also expressed reservations regarding the adequacy of aid reaching Gaza, with the UN reporting only 6,545 trucks offloaded at Gaza crossings post-ceasefire, averaging about 113 trucks daily. The UN figures exclude aid trucks from organizations operating outside the UN network.
A Hamas document shared with AP indicates that a total of 7,333 aid trucks have entered Gaza since the ceasefire. However, concerns persist among humanitarian groups about the severe impact of aid shortages on Gaza’s population, particularly those who were displaced during the conflict. Reports suggest that food scarcity remains a pressing issue, exacerbating the challenges faced by residents struggling to recover from the wartime famine.
In light of the ongoing aid insufficiency, the UN office for humanitarian affairs has emphasized the urgent need for increased aid to Gaza, citing Israeli restrictions as a significant impediment to recovery efforts. The situation is dire, with vulnerable groups, including starving mothers giving birth to malnourished babies, facing harsh conditions exacerbated by the approaching winter weather and inadequate shelter provisions.
Amidst the aid delivery concerns, both Israel and Hamas have traded accusations of violations of the ceasefire terms, with Israel halting aid entry in response to alleged Hamas violations regarding the return of hostages’ bodies. Hamas, on the other hand, has accused Israel of breaching the ceasefire through sluggish aid flow, ongoing Rafah crossing closures, and continued deadly attacks on Gaza.
