Link to article: https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinians-hamas-war-lebanon-hezbollah-iran-news-12-01-2024-6118019c9bc11204026b686206be8f6a
The UN agency for Palestinian refugees declared that they will halt aid deliveries through main cargo going into the Gaza strip due to the risk of armed gangs who have looted deliveries before. They blame Israel for the under-presence of law and order in the area. This decision could make the humanitarian crisis in Gaza worse, especially as winter weather arises. Hundreds of thousands of Palestinians, who are living in poor tent camps, rely on international aid. The head of UNRWA, which is the main aid provider in Gaza, states that the route to Kerem Shalom crossing (the only crossing between Israel and Gaza made for cargo shipments) is too dangerous on the Gaza side with evidence of armed men looting around 100 trucks on that route in mid-November. Kerem Shalom has been the main crossroad for deliveries, with nearly two-thirds of aid entering Gaza going through it. The UNRWA head also publicly criticized Israel for restricting the amount of aid and lack of security on routes that had previously been enforced through a Hamas-run police force. Israeli military blames UNRWA of having permitted Hamas to infiltrate its ranks. Since October, Israeli forces have totally isolated the northern part of Gaza, where famine is threatening.
This stoppage of aid will be very harmful for many Palestinians who require this support, and will only continue the suffering of many people who will have to go without those main deliveries compromising of perhaps food, water, and medicine. The UNRWA says because of Israeli policies like blocking off certain areas and other military operations, which have overall weakened the infrastructure and governance in Gaza, is why there are these problems of aid convoys being looted. There is the question of how long this aid goes on, as it is not a long term fix and should push for more stabilizing negotiations.
The UN pushes for the following of international humanitarian law for all parties and may try to facilitate more talks between Israel and Hamas. Egypt has already been seen harboring Hamas in efforts to push for a ceasefire. Israel does not look close to relaxing their blockade of Gaza crossings, especially with them claiming that Hamas is with some of these certain aid groups. NGOs and IGOs working in Gaza can continue to report of everything happening there to try to garner more international awareness.
With the involvement of the UN and other countries trying to maintain regional stability, collective security is shown through their efforts. These efforts could be seen through a liberalist lens as there is international cooperation to address this crisis (especially with the UN and NGOs). On the other hand, a realist would state that the Israeli military operations and blockage is due to their concern of security and power of their state.