Gaza Civilians Seize UN Food Trucks as Famine Fears Rise

Desperate Palestinians in Gaza blocked and offloaded dozens of aid trucks operated by the U.N. World Food Programme, as starvation fears mount under an ongoing Israeli blockade. The incident coincides with signs of progress in ceasefire negotiations.

According to the WFP, 77 trucks loaded primarily with flour were intercepted by civilians before reaching their intended destinations. The agency called for a surge in food deliveries to calm growing public desperation and rebuild trust.

Nearly three months of restricted access and fighting have left Gaza’s population teetering on the edge of famine. Although some aid has been allowed through recently, humanitarian groups warn it is far from sufficient.

In the southern city of Khan Younis, witnesses reported that a convoy was stopped at an improvised roadblock, and crowds of hungry residents took food directly from the trucks. Some carried sacks of flour on their heads and backs; others used forklifts to offload pallets.

Aid agencies say the flow of relief is being severely disrupted due to insecurity along routes designated by Israeli authorities in areas like Rafah and Khan Younis. Armed groups are reportedly active in these zones, increasing the risk to convoys and staff.

An internal update circulated among aid groups documented multiple recent incidents of looting at aid storage sites. On Friday, 60 trucks were forced to turn back from the Kerem Shalom crossing due to ongoing hostilities, while only five managed to deliver their cargo.

Israel maintains it has provided operational support and accused the U.N. of mismanagement. In response, a new aid mechanism—the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation—has been launched with U.S. and Israeli backing, using private contractors and armed teams to distribute aid. Aid organisations have criticised the move, warning it risks militarising humanitarian efforts.

Israeli authorities argue the change is necessary to prevent diversion of aid by Hamas. The U.N. disputes claims of large-scale misappropriation.

Meanwhile, Israeli military operations in Gaza continue. Over the past 24 hours, at least 60 people have been killed, including three individuals shot in Rafah and a family of three in a vehicle struck in Gaza City.

The war began on 7 October 2023 when Hamas launched an attack that killed about 1,200 people and took 250 hostages. Of those, 58 remain in Gaza, though at least 35 are believed to be dead.

Since then, Israeli strikes have killed more than 54,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry. The figures do not distinguish between civilians and fighters.