The Untold Story of Aid Convoys Under Siege

The situation on the ground in Gaza is dire and chaotic, with widespread military operations exacerbating an already desperate humanitarian crisis. Anera and other aid organizations face monumental challenges in delivering assistance to those in need amid the ongoing conflict.

Military operations were previously concentrated in specific areas like Rafah and parts of the north, but now the entirety of Gaza is affected. Mass displacement forces people into already overcrowded areas, intensifying desperation for food and aid.

Complex Logistics and Bureaucratic Hurdles

Delivering aid requires meticulous coordination with Israeli authorities, which includes securing permissions and coordinating routes, drivers, and vehicles well in advance. The process is fraught with lengthy delays and last-minute cancellations, often requiring real-time updates and decisions throughout the day.

The logistical nightmare extends beyond permissions. There are currently only two open crossings into Gaza, Karam Abu Salim (Kerem Shalom) in the south and Zikim in the north. Each aid mission that enters is unpredictable, involving multiple holding points where green lights are needed to proceed. This process starts early in the morning and can extend late into the night, becoming increasingly dangerous after sunset. Inconsistent and poor communication networks that have been damaged and degraded during the war add to the challenges, restricting the frequency of truck trips per day.

The Perils Workers Face to Deliver Aid

The slow and inadequate delivery of humanitarian aid into Gaza is creating desperation among the people. As desperation grows, so does lawlessness. Security threats to aid workers - including attacks on truck drivers and distribution centers, looting, and navigating spontaneous roadblocks - are becoming the norm. Anera and other organizations are forced to organize their own safety escorts for the movement of convoys of open flatbeds arriving from border crossings. Civilian police that all aid operations implicitly rely upon to maintain order have been targeted by Israeli forces.

Anera has recently faced instances where Israelis detained and arrested truck drivers, with most being released after long hours in custody. Two drivers remain in custody without updates on their situation. They were handcuffed, blindfolded, and one was forced to remove their clothes for two hours.

Difficulties in Safely Storing Aid

Finding suitable distribution centers with low looting risk is also challenging. Facility costs are high, and there's significant liability for both goods and the facility. Most warehouses are inadequate for temporary food storage due to poor conditions and lack of pest control. There is a lack of temperature-controlled storage solutions, necessitating the use of expensive refrigerated truck storage. The cost of unarmed security to deter looters and gangs is also high.

Fuel Availability

Fuel costs are another major concern. Obtaining a regular fuel supply for electricity, forklifts, trucks, and other operations is difficult. Anera and other organizations must provide fuel for trucks for every inbound and outbound delivery from their distribution centers and warehouses. The running costs for operations equipment, such as forklifts and pallet jacks, are also high.

Delivering Aid in Gaza Requires Superhuman Dedication

Despite these challenges, Anera and other humanitarian organizations persist in our work. Our teams in Palestine often work around the clock to ensure aid reaches those in need. Anera's nimble approach allows for quick decision-making, providing staff with the flexibility needed to navigate the volatile environment. Our Palestinian team has the agency to make on-the-spot decisions without waiting for higher approvals, enabling a highly responsive and agile operation.

But, make no mistake, each day our team is able to deliver in Gaza represents an almost superhuman level of effort and dedication. Anera's staff often question whether to continue deliveries under the current conditions or to halt operations to emphasize the untenable security situation.

There is no reason it should be this hard to help people! We need all of the crossings to be opened, a simplified and streamlined system for screening and approving aid deliveries that permits the entry of vastly more aid, and, most of all, an end to hostilities.