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(TJV) On Sunday, Vice President Kamala Harris reiterated claims that Israel has obstructed food aid to northern Gaza since early October, a statement that contradicts data provided by Israel and humanitarian organizations linked to the United Nations.
“The UN reports that no food has entered northern Gaza in nearly 2 weeks. Israel must urgently do more to facilitate the flow of aid to those in need. Civilians must be protected and must have access to food, water, and medicine. International humanitarian law must be respected,” Harris posted on X (formerly Twitter).
The UN reports that no food has entered northern Gaza in nearly 2 weeks. Israel must urgently do more to facilitate the flow of aid to those in need. Civilians must be protected and must have access to food, water, and medicine. International humanitarian law must be respected.
— Vice President Kamala Harris (@VP) October 13, 2024
Harris, the Democratic presidential nominee, referenced a recent UN World Food Program (WFP) report suggesting Israeli military actions have shut down nearly all food distribution in northern Gaza since October 1. The report described the region’s supplies as dwindling, warning of an imminent humanitarian crisis.
The WFP noted that its last food stocks in northern Gaza were distributed to shelters housing displaced families, barely enough to sustain them for two weeks. Meanwhile, Israeli media reported that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is considering creating a “closed military zone” in northern Gaza to counter Hamas, potentially cutting off aid to the area. This move is reportedly aimed at limiting aid theft by Hamas fighters, a concern expressed by both Israeli and US officials. Israel had advised civilians to evacuate northern Gaza, but many remain in the area and could be affected by the aid restrictions.
30 trucks entered northern Gaza through the Erez Crossing earlier today.
Israel is not preventing the entry of humanitarian aid, with an emphasis on food, into Gaza.
In the last two weeks, the @IDF has been conducting a ground operation in northern Gaza to destroy Hamas… pic.twitter.com/xBW54K3s0Z
— COGAT (@cogatonline) October 14, 2024
However, according to Axios, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant assured US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin that the Israeli military was not blocking aid to northern Gaza.
The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) and the Coordination of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT) provided data showing that aid has continued to reach northern Gaza. Between October 8 and 10, 54 aid trucks entered northern Gaza through a newly established route at Gate 96, with most of the cargo being food supplies. Additionally, COGAT reported that 31 aid trucks had crossed into northern Gaza through the Erez West crossing from October 1 to 12.
More food going into Gaza then before the war
As part of the Israeli commitment to deliver aid to the Gaza Strip, approximately 30 trucks carrying flour and food were transferred yesterday as part of the humanitarian aid delivery to the northern part of the gaza strip.… pic.twitter.com/zgWdYGSwdH
— Brian BJ (@iamBrianBJ) October 15, 2024
COGAT shared a video on X showing a humanitarian aid truck entering northern Gaza, accompanied by a message stating, “Israel is not preventing the entry of humanitarian aid, with an emphasis on food, into Gaza.”
Israel has defended its military operations in northern Gaza, stating that the actions are targeting Hamas’ infrastructure, which has launched attacks on Israeli civilians from the area.
In accordance with the political leadership’s directive and as part of the commitment to deliver aid to the Gaza Strip, approximately 30 trucks carrying flour and food were transferred yesterday as part of the humanitarian aid delivery to the northern part of the Strip. pic.twitter.com/5Dtpw9AbUY
— Jewish Breaking News (@JBreakingNews) October 15, 2024
Criticism of the UN’s stance on Israel is longstanding, with allegations of bias. In June, the UN included Israel on a “list of shame” for harming children in conflict zones and published a report suggesting Israel restricted aid to Gaza without acknowledging the role of Hamas in intercepting supplies. The UN’s special rapporteur for human rights in the Palestinian territories, Francesca Albanese, has also faced scrutiny for citing unverified reports on casualties in the Israel-Hamas conflict. The UN General Assembly and Human Rights Council have frequently passed resolutions against Israel, contributing to perceptions of a disproportionate focus on the Middle East’s only democracy.
