Two people were killed in northern Gaza after gunmen attacked an aid convoy, the World Food Programme reported on Monday.
Following the incident, Hamas accused the U.N. agency of failing to coordinate security measures properly, according to AFP.
The WFP, in its statement, described the attack as occurring during “a coordinated movement to bring in 40 trucks on behalf of humanitarian partners” on Sunday, which was disrupted by “violent, armed looting, resulting in the deaths of two people.”
“Amidst the armed looting, five trucks carrying essential supplies were lost,” the agency added.
Hamas, which governs Gaza, condemned the WFP in a statement, calling the incident “a catastrophic mistake” that “claimed the lives of two citizens and injured dozens with bullets.”
The group demanded accountability, stating, “We hold [the WFP] fully responsible and demand that it adhere to established protocols for coordinating the security of aid convoys.”
The WFP highlighted that over the past two weeks, “nearly every aid movement through crossings in southern and central Gaza has been marred by violence, looting and tragic deaths due to attacks and the absence of law and order along convoy routes inside Gaza.”
The United Nations said that 23 trucks were “lost to looting” on Dec. 22, after the Israel Defense Forces overhauled its efforts to secure humanitarian aid delivery routes in Gaza and, reportedly, saw some short-term success.
Looting by armed gangs, many reportedly with terror ties, has been on the rise and has created a major obstacle to aid delivery and safety.
The United Nations claims Israel is responsible, according to international law, for securing goods and humanitarian workers. At the same time, it refuses to allow Israel to accompany the convoys, citing the need to keep warring parties out of the mix.
The global body has not explained how the IDF can guarantee the security of routes upon which it is not permitted to accompany convoys.
