Palestinians in the Gaza Strip carry bags of flour from a humanitarian aid delivery on March 6, 2024, in Gaza. (Credit: Dawoud Abo Alkas/AFP)
The phenomenon is not new. Since the start of the war in Gaza, Palestinians in the enclave report that armed gangs made up of members of local clans have been stealing humanitarian aid to sell it on the black market or looting evacuated homes under Israeli bombardments. Over time, however, amateur looters have been replaced by organized networks, according to twenty witnesses recently cited by the Financial Times.“Because of these individuals affiliated with various criminal clans and armed gangs, people find only overpriced food on the black market,” said Reham Owda, a Palestinian political analyst from Gaza, as aid deliveries have gradually collapsed to their lowest levels in November.At a time when international organizations are increasingly warning about the humanitarian situation and famine risks, particularly in the north of the...
The phenomenon is not new. Since the start of the war in Gaza, Palestinians in the enclave report that armed gangs made up of members of local clans have been stealing humanitarian aid to sell it on the black market or looting evacuated homes under Israeli bombardments. Over time, however, amateur looters have been replaced by organized networks, according to twenty witnesses recently cited by the Financial Times.“Because of these individuals affiliated with various criminal clans and armed gangs, people find only overpriced food on the black market,” said Reham Owda, a Palestinian political analyst from Gaza, as aid deliveries have gradually collapsed to their lowest levels in November.At a time when international organizations are increasingly warning about the humanitarian situation and famine risks, particularly in the north of...