In Gaza, another scourge has been added in recent weeks to Israeli bombings, diseases, lack of water and food: crime. Gangs emerged and brought terror to Gaza, looting homes and the rare humanitarian convoys.
2 mins
From our correspondent in Jerusalem,
HAS Gaza, until then authority was in the hands of Hamas. There is the armed wing, at war against Israel. But Hamas is also the government, the administration and the police. It was the Hamas police who were notably responsible for securing the food convoys entering the Gaza Strip. But Israel said: stop. The Israelis accuse Hamas of diverting this aid. Last month, a Hamas police car was targeted by an Israeli strike. Since then, the Hamas police have been very discreet.
So Gaza, a war zone, gradually transformed into a lawless zone. How can we guarantee the safety of humanitarian aid convoys attacked by criminals or hungry crowds? And above all, what alternative to the authority of Hamas? In Gaza, there are three private security companies. But with the war, they are no longer operational. Israel is said to have approached the major Gazan families and clan leaders to ask them to fulfill this role. “ But in Gaza, no one moves without Hamas’ authorization », confides an anonymous witness, contacted on site.
Food rations sold at high prices
“ Don’t bury Hamas too quickly », continues this same witness. “ Don’t trust what the Israelis say. After six months of war, Hamas is still in place in the enclave. The proof, as soon as the Israeli army withdraws from a position, the men of Hamas return “, he said. Example: Al-Chifa hospital. Last November, Israel took control. This week, his army is forced to carry out a second assault to hunt down Hamas cadres who were there again.
It was in the midst of this chaos that gangs emerged. In recent weeks, they have therefore attacked humanitarian aid convoys. But they also got their hands on the food rations parachuted into the enclave. Their loot is sold at a high price to the Gazans. “ But their reign won’t last long », assures our witness. “ Hamas is already regaining control. Some of these thugs were even executed », says the Gazans.
A radical solution to restore order. But this does not resolve the issue of lack of food in the enclave. Israel still drastically limits the entry of food trucks into the territory. In addition, there are two types of trucks: those loaded with humanitarian aid. And those loaded with goods intended for sale. And whose prices are exploding on the markets, the supply being far too low compared to demand and needs.
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