World Food Program Halts Aid Deliveries in Gaza Due to Security Threats

World Food Program Suspends Aid Deliveries in Gaza Amid Security Concerns

The World Food Program (WFP) has announced a temporary halt to its aid deliveries in Gaza following a concerning incident where one of its humanitarian teams was targeted by gunfire this week while approaching an Israeli military checkpoint. In a formal statement, the United Nations agency reported that, fortunately, none of its personnel were injured during the shooting, which occurred on Tuesday night after a convoy of trucks had completed an assistance delivery in central Gaza.

According to the WFP, one of its vehicles was struck by ten bullets—five of which hit the driver’s side—just a few yards from the Israeli security post at the Wadi Gaza bridge. While the statement did not specify who was responsible for the shooting, it noted that this was not the first instance of its team facing danger near an Israeli checkpoint in Gaza, even after having received prior clearance to approach the area. In light of these events, the agency declared it would be “pausing the movement of its employees in Gaza until further notice.”

“This situation is utterly unacceptable, representing yet another in a troubling series of unnecessary security incidents that have put the lives of WFP’s team at risk in Gaza,” stated Cindy McCain, the executive director of the agency. In her remarks, which were released on Wednesday, she urged Israeli officials to take immediate measures to safeguard humanitarian workers engaged in delivering vital aid in the region. Ms. McCain emphasized the need for improvements in the coordination system that aid agencies employ to work alongside Israeli forces, stating, “The current de-confliction system is failing, and this cannot continue any longer.”

Earlier in the week, the WFP’s main operating hub located in Deir al Balah, central Gaza, was forced to relocate following an evacuation order issued by the Israeli military for that area. The previous week, amid ongoing military operations by Israel, five WFP community kitchens were also evacuated, and the agency lost access to the sole aid warehouse it had been operating in central Gaza, as detailed in their statement.

The suspension of aid deliveries comes at a critical juncture for humanitarian efforts and the many Palestinians in Gaza who rely heavily on this support. As Israel’s military offensive approaches its 11th month, experts warn that nearly half a million individuals in Gaza face the dire threat of starvation.

In April, a tragic incident involving an Israeli drone strike resulted in the deaths of seven workers from the World Central Kitchen aid group. This organization briefly paused its operations but resumed shortly thereafter, reporting in June that it had successfully delivered over 50 million meals in Gaza since the outbreak of the war.

Israeli military officials have described the attack on the World Central Kitchen convoy as a “grave mistake,” attributing it to a series of failures, including communication breakdowns and lapses in adherence to military operating procedures.

Adding to the growing humanitarian crisis, a 10-month-old infant was diagnosed with polio this month, marking the first confirmed case of the disease in Gaza in a quarter-century. In response, UNICEF, the United Nations children’s agency, is preparing to launch a vaccination campaign for children in Gaza as early as this weekend. They have requested a pause in military operations to facilitate this crucial initiative.