COGAT pushes UN to ‘scale up’ and distribute aid piling up at Gaza border crossings

Lazar Berman is The Times of Israel's diplomatic reporter

The IDF’s Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories presses the United Nations to “scale up” and distribute aid that Israel has processed and transferred to the Gaza side of the crossings.

“On the Gazan side of the Kerem Shalom Crossing, where over 1,000 trucks are awaiting collection and distribution, here too in the JLOTS collection and distribution compound, there are hundreds of aid pallets awaiting collection and distribution by the UN aid agencies,” says Maj. Gen. Ghassan Alian in a statement.

“We have said in the past, and we continue to say so now – the UN has a duty to scale up its logistical capabilities of collecting and distributing the humanitarian aid. We [are continuing] with our efforts – now it is your duty to complete the job.”

Yesterday, COGAT says, 285 aid trucks were transferred to the Gaza Strip through the Erez and the Kerem Shalom crossings. Some 88 aid trucks were collected by UN aid agencies and the private sector, according to COGAT, 33 trucks from the Erez crossing, and 55 trucks from Kerem Shalom.

COGAT also releases footage of hundreds of packages awaiting distribution in the unloading area of the US JLOTS pier.

Last night, UN Gaza aid coordinator Sigrid Kaag told Foreign Minister Israel Katz that lawlessness in Gaza prevents the UN from distributing aid, and Israel risks being left alone to address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

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