So how is that “starvation” meme doing? Are those terrible Israelis still depriving Gazans of food, medicine, etc.?
In answer, here is the first half of Beth Bailey’s article at Fox News , titled “Israel says UN misleads world as Gaza aid stolen and diverted from civilians”… (but NOT, of course, reported by almost any other venues from what we very, very charitably call mainstream media):
As the debate heats up over the delivery of aid into Gaza, Israeli officials have once again questioned the United Nations over its data, specifically aid getting stolen or intercepted and the number of trucks entering the enclave from Israel.
As of Aug. 12, the U.N. Office for Project Services showed that 3,140 trucks have been intercepted en route to their destinations since May 19. Only 412 trucks, 11.6% of the total sent into the region, reached their targeted location. The U.N. said the aid was taken “either peacefully by hungry people or forcefully armed actors.”
On Tuesday, a review conducted by the Israeli Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT) claimed to have found that the U.N. figures have failed to account for the entry of around 6,000 additional trucks since May. COGAT said Israel has allowed about 9,200 trucks to deliver aid to Gaza in the last three months, a figure 2.5 times higher than the around 3,500 trucks counted by the U.N.
“The fact that the U.N. presents only part of the aid actually transferred misleads the international community and creates a false picture of the situation, directly influencing global media coverage and shaping the positions of international decision-makers regarding the humanitarian situation in Gaza,” a COGAT statement read.
Meanwhile, the often-maligned U.S.-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation’s (GHF) out-of-the-box aid delivery mechanisms continue to show success, according to the group. Theft and looting have not been an issue for the GHF, which continues to provide between one and two million meals per day through distribution sites secured by armed guards. GHF has provided over 130 million meals since the start of its operations on May 27.
“The presence of armed security is one of the reasons why GHF has been able to deliver aid successfully without a single truck being looted,” noting that “in one of the most volatile and complex operating environments in the world, that security is the only reason food consistently reaches civilians without interference from Hamas.”
Though a group of about 230 NGOs initially rejected the organization on account of what they called “militarized distribution sites,” Chapin Fay, Gaza Humanitarian Foundation spokesperson, said things might be changing as over 200 international organizations, “sent a letter calling on the U.N. to collaborate with us.”
“This is not the militarization of aid… It is the only way to make sure food actually reaches civilians. Every decision we make is guided by protecting lives.”
He said “more aid is the solution to many of the problems in Gaza today” and that GHF is “willing to work with any organization that wants to help feed the people of Gaza.”
Several weeks ago, Fay toured the vast lots in Kerem Shalom crossing, where pallets of U.N. aid await pickup by drivers. “I saw about a dozen [trucks] sitting roasting, fully laden with dozens of pallets of food in each truck. I saw flour rotting on the side of the road. There were medical supplies that had already expired.”
Do I need to say more? Is this clear enough to understand?
And there is more. Please read Ms. Bailey’s entire piece (here is the link again) and see for yourself.
Then remember who is not reporting it, and take that into account when they selectively “inform” you about the parts they want you to know.
