A rare look inside Gaza shows the challenges that further complicate the humanitarian crisis

Southern Gaza Strip – In a rare moment of access to the war-torn Palestinian territories, CBS News visited a vital aid distribution center Wednesday inside the Gaza Strip, near the Kerem Shalom border crossing from Israel. the Humanitarian crisis In Gaza after more than a year of war between Israel and Hamas It remains to be said.

Israeli officials say that, on average, about 200 trucks cross from Israel into Gaza via the Kerem Shalom crossing every day, carrying much-needed supplies for Palestinian civilians caught in the crossfire of the ongoing conflict.

But the pressing question remains: Will aid reach those who need it most?

At the distribution center, truck drivers and aid workers spoke to CBS News about the difficulties they face, including the looting of humanitarian goods, which they said remains a major problem in Gaza. Chaos and lawlessness in the region often prevent supplies from reaching their intended beneficiaries.

“Aid is not arriving because of the gangs that block it on the road,” says Muhammad Shuhaiber, a Palestinian logistics coordinator from the Rimal neighborhood in Gaza City, who spoke to us while supervising workers loading forklifts full of fresh aid. Fruit.

Of the 100 trucks that left this site, “only 70 or 60 reached their destination,” he said. He added that the rest was looted.

“The only guarantee for the safe delivery of aid is for there to be some stability in Gaza,” he said. He added, “They (the gangs) take up positions near the border… near the (Israeli) army… and they do not face any problems.”

international Aid agencies He also complained that it was not enough Helps Enters the Gaza Strip.

last Sunday on CBS News’ “Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan.” Cindy McCainThe director of the World Food Program said that her organization was not able to bring two aid trucks through the crossing until November.

Colonel Abdullah Halabi, head of the Israeli Coordination and Liaison Administration in Gaza, said: “This is not true.” He added: “In the past two weeks alone, the humanitarian community, through developing facilities around Gaza, as is the case at other crossings, was able to transport an average of 200 trucks to central and southern Gaza.”

Israeli officials insist that ample aid is flowing into Gaza. They stress the difficulties of delivering supplies in an active war zone and call for greater assistance from the international community to ensure safe passage and effective distribution within the region. The deadly pocket.

Israel launched its military attack on Gaza following the brutal attack launched by Hamas on Gaza October 7, 2023Which killed about 1,200 people. More than 100 Hostages Territories seized by Hamas are still being held. since The beginning of the war And in Gaza, at least 44,580 Palestinians It was killed, according to the Hamas-run Ministry of Health, and most of its population has been internally displaced.

The danger was clear during our visit, as shelling echoed nearby. Aid truck drivers are risking their lives to navigate precarious conditions caused by destroyed infrastructure and security threats inside Gaza, highlighting the enormous challenges faced by aid agencies and civilians in Gaza.

However, there has been cautious hope recently, with reports suggesting that ongoing negotiations on a hostage release deal could lead to a temporary ceasefire and increased humanitarian aid to Gaza.

If such a deal is reached, distribution centers like those on the Gaza side of the Kerem Shalom crossing could soon be filled with additional supplies, providing a lifeline to those who need it most.

Chris Livesay

Chris Livesay is a foreign correspondent for CBS News based in Rome.