Gaza's Lifeline Held Hostage in a Warehouse?

Gaza's Humanitarian Crisis Deepens as Vital Aid Decays in Jordanian Warehouses

The specter of starvation looms large over Gaza as critical food supplies, intended to alleviate widespread malnutrition, are left to rot in Jordanian warehouses. Restrictions imposed by Israel have prevented the entry of this desperately needed aid since March, exacerbating an already dire humanitarian situation.

UNRWA's Desperate Plea

Jonathan Fowler, a spokesperson for UNRWA, the United Nations Palestinian refugee agency, paints a grim picture. "Some of the food we have is arriving at expiration in July," he warns, highlighting the impending loss of approximately **200,000 metric tons of flour**. While some of these supplies may be diverted to Palestinian refugees in Jordan, a significant portion faces the tragic fate of being discarded.

Inside UNRWA's main warehouse in Amman, tens of thousands of cardboard boxes stand as a stark reminder of the aid blockade. These boxes contain carefully calibrated packages of yeast, lentils, canned fish, sugar, and Turkish chickpeas - enough to provide balanced meals for **200,000 people for an entire month**. Yet, they remain trapped, victims of bureaucratic hurdles and geopolitical tensions.

Beyond food, even larger quantities of essential medicines are stranded on trucks at Israeli border crossings, compounding the suffering of Gazans who lack access to basic healthcare.

A Humanitarian Hub Thwarted

Jordan, a key U.S. security ally and a nation that made peace with Israel decades ago, was established as the primary hub for humanitarian aid to Gaza following the outbreak of conflict in 2023. Its proximity to Gaza, a mere three-hour drive, made it an ideal logistical center. However, recent developments have undermined this vital role.

According to U.N. officials, Israel has implemented new restrictions that prioritize aid originating from within Israel, effectively barring supplies from Jordan and Egypt. Jonathan Whittall, head of the U.N.'s Office for Humanitarian Affairs in Gaza, laments that these measures have severely limited the quantity and speed of medical supplies reaching those in need.

Financial Strain and Questionable Alternatives

The consequences of these restrictions are far-reaching. Hundreds of millions of dollars' worth of humanitarian goods are languishing in overheated warehouses and at border crossings. Aid organizations, reliant on public and private donations, are burdened with mounting storage fees.

While Israel claims that Hamas has been diverting aid, the U.N. and other aid organizations, including Cindy McCain, head of the World Food Program, have refuted these allegations, asserting that Israel has failed to provide evidence of systematic diversion. These organizations have established, time-tested distribution systems within Gaza built over decades.

Adding to the complexity is the emergence of a new aid organization, the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), which has faced widespread criticism. Concerns have been raised about its funding sources, personnel, and adherence to humanitarian principles. The first head of GHF, Jake Wood, resigned shortly after its creation, citing the organization's inability to operate in accordance with these principles.

Sean Carroll, president and CEO of ANERA, the largest U.S.-based nongovernmental aid group operating in Gaza, highlights the volatile combination of armed personnel manning humanitarian sites, desperate hunger, and insufficient aid.

Key Facts in Brief:

• 200,000 metric tons of flour at risk of expiring.
• Aid valued at hundreds of millions of dollars is stranded.
• Over 10 million meals are waiting in trucks at the Kerem Shalom border crossing.
• UNRWA's medical supplies are at half the needed levels.

Medical Supplies Dwindling

The impact on healthcare is particularly alarming. As the primary provider of primary health care in Gaza, UNRWA is struggling to maintain adequate supplies. Their stocks of essential medical items, including burn ointments, have been halved in the past two months.

Rachel Norris, Gaza director for Doctors Without Borders, describes the agonizing choices they face as they ration antiseptics, gauze, gloves, and painkillers. The months-long ban on aid shipments has pushed them to the brink. "It's heartbreaking when I'm in the hospital like I was today and you see children in agony," she said, emphasizing that “Even the most very basic medical supplies that are critical when we're doing wound care and surgery are missing,"

Despite these accounts, an unnamed State Department spokesperson has denied any restrictions on aid from Jordan and Egypt, labeling such reports as "absolutely false."

A Call for Urgent Action

The situation in Gaza demands immediate and decisive action. The international community must pressure all parties to ensure the unimpeded flow of humanitarian aid to those in desperate need. Allowing vital supplies to decay while Gazans suffer is not only a moral failure but also a preventable tragedy. The time for political maneuvering is over; the time for humanitarian action is now.

Source: https://www.npr.org/2025/05/30/g-s1-69815/gaza-food-aid-decays-jordan-israel