Local residents and aid workers have reported a surge in looting of supply warehouses in northern Gaza.
Witnesses, aid organizations and internal communications shared among security personnel working for humanitarian groups told media that both armed individuals and unarmed persons have been forced into warehouses, bakeries and shops since Wednesday.
The lockdown has been maintained since Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ended his latest ceasefire with Hamas in March. As a result, the largely populated enclave of over 2 million people has entered what is considered the most humanitarian crisis since the conflict began 19 months ago.
Israeli authorities argue that restrictions and military pressure are intended to force Hamas to release 59 hostages that are believed to be still prisoner-of-war.
The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights has previously said that it would take civilians out of war crimes as a tactic of war.
Aid agencies warn Gaza civilians are currently on the brink of hunger. There is growing concern that escalating despair could lead to a complete collapse of social order. While looting occurred regularly during the war, aid workers note that this week’s incidents have shown significant changes.
Looters search for food and medical supplies
The latest wave of looting began Wednesday evening in Gaza City, following reports of humanitarian trucks reaching north from the southern region. One aid worker said armed individuals targeted bakers based on rumors that food reserves were included.
When it turned out to be empty, the group looted the soup kitchen run by the international aid agency in the Alshathi refugee camp, according to a security update distributed that night.
The United Nations Relief and Occupational Agency (UNRWA) reported that personnel safely retreated on Wednesday after thousands of people broke into Gaza city field offices and obtained medical supplies. Louise Waterridge, a senior UNRWA emergency officer, described looting as “a direct result of insufficient, long-term deprivation.”
The loot continued until Friday night. Three witnesses say dozens of armed men are tasked with pushing them into at least two UN storage facilities, protecting police and local security guards. The warehouse was already largely exhausted before the invasion occurred.
“There were organised gangs,” said Ahmed Abu Awad, a resident of West Gaza City, that some of the incidents had happened.
Another local Yahya Youssef said he observed two nights of armed conflict between looters and security forces along the streets of West Gaza city, near the UN-used property.
Israeli overnight attack kills at least 17 Palestinians
According to local hospital records, the Israeli airstrikes took place overnight in Khan Eunice in South Gazan city, where Khan Eunice killed at least 17 Palestinians.
One of the strikes targeted a home within the city’s refugee camp and killed 11 members of the same family, Nasser Hospital confirmed. Among the victims were three women, including two siblings, and three children. One is one year old and another month is one month, the hospital said.
Another airstrike struck the house in the Batn Al-Samin area of Khan Younis. It was also reported that two more people died on another strike at another home in the city, the hospital added.
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