Before, it took around an hour to drive from south to north in Gaza.
But for the emergency help, it can take a day.
– We are stopped and have to wait sometimes more than a day, says the truck driver Basil Shahbir.
Basil Shahbir has just returned to southern Gaza with his red truck. He has been to the northern parts and left emergency provisions.
– This time it took about a day, he says.
Aid organizations criticize Israel
The emergency aid transports have been part of the criticism against Israel since the war against Hamas started. Aid organizations have repeatedly criticized Israel for not opening up to more aid. The criticism has primarily concerned northern Gaza, where the population has no electricity, running water or any functioning infrastructure.
At times, Israel has allowed more shipments, but the system is cumbersome and inefficient. According to Basil, a trip that should take one to two hours can take more than a day – with all the checks and because the roads in the northern parts are heavily bombed.
International journalists are stopped
Since the start of the war – following the Hamas terror attack that killed around 1,100 Israelis – international journalists have not been allowed into Gaza. TV4 has commissioned freelancer Samy Zyara to interview a driver who delivers emergency aid.
– There are several controls. Israeli soldiers climb aboard and shine flashlights on everything, says Basil Shahbir.
Sometimes the drivers have to stand and wait in one place for up to a day. The reason is that Israel is worried that the loads may contain things that Hamas can use.
The civilian population is affected
Other times, it may be some Hamas-controlled group that checks that Israel does not bring anything into the cargo.
The victims are the civilian population, who have to wait a long time for help. According to Basil, there are usually a thousand people waiting for the trucks. After many have died at the drop-offs due to both congestion and gunfire, many have become frightened and prefer to wait elsewhere.
– Many do not want to come for help, and stop with death, says Basil Shahbir.