Armed looters a growing threat to Gaza aid deliveries — NY Times

Organized looting is increasingly threatening aid delivery in war-torn Gaza, with armed groups taking advantage of the chaos and lack of governance to steal basic items, The New York Times reports.

The paper says the phenomenon, which was once limited to desperate individuals, has now blossomed into systematic practices by armed groups in the enclave.

The growing threat has led the UN and other aid groups to halt operations, contributing to rising hunger and leaving tens of thousands of people without critical supplies, the report says.

The report says the Israeli military has tried to find alternate routes for aid that will bypass looters, but success has been only partial.

It adds that the IDF appears to increasingly be targeting armed looters with airstrikes to deter the practice.