Over the weekend, a large aid convoy in Gaza was forcibly looted, with its drivers held at gunpoint and made to unload supplies, according to a statement on Monday by UNRWA, the primary U.N. agency assisting Palestinians. The incident, described as one of the worst of the conflict, saw most of the 109 trucks diverted from their intended mission after departing from the Kerem Shalom border crossing.

UNRWA reported that only 11 trucks successfully reached their destination. Attackers shot out the tires of some vehicles to immobilize them, with reports of some drivers being shot and many trucks severely damaged. The agency is still gathering information about the casualties and the injuries sustained by those involved.

Louise Wateridge, an UNRWA spokesperson in Gaza, emphasized the dire need for aid, highlighting the immense challenges in delivering supplies to the region. Earlier this month, a U.N. panel warned that Gaza faces an imminent risk of famine, with the northern region particularly vulnerable. “The desperation is palpable,” Wateridge remarked. “People are fighting over essentials like a bag of flour.”

The situation is further compounded by strict Israeli restrictions on the flow of humanitarian aid. UNRWA accuses Israel of failing to meet its legal obligations under international law to facilitate safe and adequate aid delivery. While the Israeli military has not commented on the incident, they have previously accused Hamas of seizing aid for their forces. Hamas has also not issued a statement regarding the looting.

The convoy’s departure was expedited by Israeli orders, leaving little time for drivers to adapt to an alternate, less familiar route. UNRWA described this sudden change as a logistical nightmare, given the limited mobile data access for safe route planning.

The growing lawlessness in Gaza, driven by war and desperation, has led to widespread looting and profiteering. Relief groups face constant threats from armed gangs, further complicating aid distribution. With no civilian administration to replace the Hamas government toppled during the conflict, the territory has plunged into chaos.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated on Monday that Israeli operations have significantly weakened Hamas militarily and that plans are underway to dismantle its governance structures, including its control over humanitarian aid distribution.

UNRWA also faces logistical hurdles imposed by Israel, which requires aid to be transported by local contractors rather than the agency’s own trucks. This arrangement often results in limited oversight of supplies and convoy security. The attackers in Saturday’s looting not only seized the aid but also stripped the trucks of fuel and batteries.

Without armed guards, aid convoys rely on armored vehicles and fast-driving tactics to evade attacks. “It’s like something from a sci-fi movie,” said Wateridge, describing the reinforced vehicles used by drivers to navigate the perilous environment.