The United Nations announced on Monday that it will begin importing more armored vehicles and personal protection equipment for its humanitarian operations in the Gaza Strip. This move follows the approval of such measures by Israeli authorities, which came in response to a U.N. letter addressing safety and security concerns in Gaza.
Scott Anderson, the deputy humanitarian coordinator for the Occupied Palestinian Territory, confirmed the development as the conflict between Israel and Palestinian militant group Hamas enters its tenth month. The ongoing war has resulted in a significant breakdown of law and order within the enclave.
The U.N. has consistently highlighted the challenges in delivering aid to Gaza, citing stringent Israeli inspections and approvals for all incoming trucks. Additionally, the U.N. faces difficulties in distributing aid due to the “total lawlessness” within Gaza, home to 2.3 million people, where a global hunger monitor recently indicated a high risk of famine.
Starting Tuesday, the U.N. will introduce more armored vehicles and protective gear into Gaza. Anderson also mentioned the approval of some communications equipment, such as hand-held radios, though discussions are ongoing regarding the U.N.’s request for stable internet access. The U.N. prefers communications independent of cell phone towers due to their unreliability. However, Israeli authorities have expressed security concerns about potential misuse of satellite internet by Hamas.