Palestinians looted a humanitarian aid truck as it crossed into the Gaza Strip in Rafah on December 17, 2023. — AP File

A humanitarian disaster in Gaza is being exacerbated by a complete breakdown in law and order, and the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas is making the enclave uninhabitable, according to a senior official from the main UN aid agency in the region, UNRWA. Natalie Boucly, UNRWA's deputy commissioner-general for programmes and partnerships, also mentioned that arrest warrants issued against senior Israeli politicians and a Hamas leader by an international tribunal signify that there will be accountability for the suffering inflicted on millions.

"Essentially, the entire population of Gaza is in dire need of assistance amid a looming famine," Boucly stated. Israel's parliament recently passed a law that will prohibit UNRWA from operating in the country when it takes effect in late January. UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini has warned that this implementation "will have catastrophic consequences."

Speaking at a conference in Cyprus, Boucly revealed that the number of pre-war aid trucks entering the Palestinian enclave daily has plummeted from 500 to 37, with these supplies now at risk of being looted by criminal gangs. Nearly 100 trucks carrying food for Palestinians were violently looted on November 16 after entering Gaza, marking one of the worst aid losses during the 13 months of war in the enclave.

"Gaza has become uninhabitable," she declared, labeling the situation a failure of humanity. "There must be accountability for all the severe violations of international law that are taking place. The issuance of the ICC arrest warrants yesterday against three individuals is the beginning of that accountability," she added.

The International Criminal Court issued warrants on Thursday for the arrest of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, former defense minister Yoav Gallant, and Hamas military leader Ibrahim Al-Masri, commonly known as Mohammed Deif, for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity. Israel asserts that Hamas is responsible for all harm to Gaza's civilians, as it operates among them, a claim the Palestinian group denies.

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