UN says some Gazans loot UN trucks amid civilian casualties at militarized aid hubs

OCHA said hostilities and hunger continue to fuel desperation among more than 2 million people in Gaza who are being denied the basics necessary for their survival amid reports of ongoing Israeli military operations.

UNITED NATIONS, June 10 (Xinhua) -- Hungry civilians loot some UN aid just cleared into Gaza while others were reportedly gunned down at the Israeli-approved militarized relief distribution sites, UN humanitarians said on Tuesday.

"Some supplies -- mainly flour -- were collected from Kerem Shalom crossing," said the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). "The aid was bound for Gaza City but was taken directly from the trucks by hungry and desperate people who have now endured months of deprivation."

Hungry and displaced people have also reportedly been killed while risking their lives to access food at militarized distribution hubs, it said.

The new militarized sites are the handful of hubs established by the U.S.-run Gaza Humanitarian Foundation. Israel supports the new scheme, alleging that Hamas was routinely hijacking UN aid supplies to distribute on its own.

OCHA also said there have been violent looting and attacks on truck drivers, which are entirely unacceptable. Israel, as the occupying power, bears responsibility for public order and safety in Gaza. That should include allowing in far more essential supplies through multiple crossings and routes to meet humanitarian needs and help reduce looting.

The office said more aid supplies have been sent to Kerem Shalom/Karem Abu Salem, and humanitarian partners continue efforts to pick up supplies when they are allowed access.

"Israeli authorities continue to deny many humanitarian movements within the (Gaza) Strip to provide whatever limited services available to the population," OCHA said. "Yesterday (Monday), they rejected 11 out of 18 attempts by the UN to coordinate such movements. These included trucking water, retrieving fuel, carrying out a rescue mission in Khan Younis and repairing roads."

OCHA said hostilities and hunger continue to fuel desperation among more than 2 million people in Gaza who are being denied the basics necessary for their survival amid reports of ongoing Israeli military operations.

The office said that from Thursday to Sunday, there were 15 attacks reported on residential buildings and tents sheltering displaced people across Gaza, killing tens of Palestinians and injuring others. Israeli military operations in northern Gaza intensified in recent days, with mass casualties reported. On Saturday, Palestinian civil defense reported 30 fatalities, including women and children, in an airstrike on a residential building in Gaza City.

"Four new displacement orders have been issued by the Israeli authorities for northern areas of Gaza since Friday," OCHA said. "The last of these was said to be in response to reported Palestinian rocket fire into Israel. Combined, they cover about 8 square kilometers but largely overlap with previously issued orders."

In the West Bank, OCHA said Israeli forces reportedly were operating in northern areas.

The office said that around Monday midnight, the military launched an operation in Nablus city, focusing on the Old City, imposing a curfew, conducting house-to-house searches and reportedly using a school as an interrogation center. At least 20 homes were searched, with reports of property damage.

OCHA said Israeli authorities announced on Monday a plan to demolish nearly 96 structures, most of them residential, in Jenin camp. More than 280 families who stand to be affected were given 72 hours to retrieve their personal belongings.

The office said Israeli operations intensified in Tulkarm and Nur Shams camps since Friday, coinciding with the Eid al-Adha holiday. The forces implemented demolition orders for 58 structures. The UN relief agency for Palestine refugees reported that more than three dozen buildings were demolished, with destruction extending beyond the original orders announced at June's start.

There is a heavy presence of military forces remaining at both camps. On Saturday, Israeli forces reportedly shot and injured a Palestinian man in Nur Shams. Israeli forces have also operated in parts of Tulkarm city, taking over buildings and using them as military posts, said OCHA.

The humanitarian office said civilians must be protected, including those fleeing and forced to leave due to displacement orders and those who remain despite those orders.

"Civilians who flee must be allowed to return as soon as circumstances allow. Civilians must be able to receive the humanitarian assistance they need, wherever they are. This is required by international humanitarian law," it said.  ■