The United Nations said that in the past 3 weeks, most of the flour transported to the Gaza Strip had been stolen before reaching distribution points. According to UN spokesman Farhan Haq, only 4,600 tons of flour have been brought to Gaza through the Kerem Shalom border gate, the only entry point permitted by Israel.
Relief organizations are estimated to need between 8,000 and 10,000 tons of flour to ensure each family in Gaza receives a bag of flour, helping to reduce pressure on the market and avoid public hopelessness. However, most of the flour transported was taken away by people hungry before arriving at the gathering place and partly robbed by armed groups.
According to the World Food Program (WFP), 4,600 tons of flour are just enough to provide an 8-day supply of banh mi to 2 million Gazans, based on a standard daily allocation of 300 grams per person.
The United Nations has transported mainly wheat flour along with small amounts of medicine and nutritional supplements since Israel lifted an 11-week blockade in mid-May. Experts warn that Gaza is facing the risk of hunger, while the rate of severely malnourished children has nearly tripled.
Israel has asked the United Nations to unload aid on the Palestinian side of the Kerem Shalom border gate, which the relief forces will then receive and distribute. However, the United Nations has accused Israel of repeatedly rejecting access requests.
Israel and the US have proposed the United Nations to work through the Gaza Humanitarian Group (GHF) but the organization has been rejected by the United Nations due to concerns about neutrality and a Militarized distribution model, which causes population relocation. Meanwhile, Israel and the US have accused Hamas of occupying the aid, which Hamas denied.
