UN Agency Reports Israeli Restrictions Hinder Food Aid for 1.1 Million Palestinians in Gaza
The United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) has reported that Israeli restrictions are impeding the delivery of crucial food aid to 1.1 million Palestinians in Gaza. According to UNRWA Director Philippe Lazzarini, a convoy of 1,049 shipping containers, containing rice, flour, chickpeas, sugar, and cooking oil—enough to feed 1.1 million people for one month—has been held up for weeks in the Israeli port city of Ashdod. The agency stated that an Israeli contractor was instructed by Israeli customs authorities not to process any UNRWA goods. This stoppage comes as the World Food Program warns of a potential famine in Gaza as early as May, with an estimated 25% of families already facing catastrophic hunger. Additionally, UNRWA's bank account with Bank Leumi was reportedly frozen, and Israeli customs authorities notified the agency that it would no longer receive tax exemptions. Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich publicly stated that 'the state of Israel will not give tax benefits to terrorist ai...
