U.N. says most flour delivered in Gaza looted or taken by starving people

The United Nations said on Monday that it has only been able to bring minimal flour into Gaza since Israel lifted an aid blockade three weeks ago and that it has mostly been looted by armed gangs or taken by starving Palestinians.

The organization has transported 4,600 metric tons of wheat flour into Gaza via the Kerem Shalom crossing, the only entry point Israel allows it to use, Deputy U.N. spokesperson Fahan Haq told reporters.

Haq said aid groups in Gaza estimate that between 8,000 and 10,000 tons of wheat flour were needed to give each family in Gaza a bag of flour and “ease the pressure on markets and reduce desperation.”