Why aid entering Gaza may not reach those who need it

REPORTER'S NOTEBOOKIt is extremely difficult for trucks to get through the Israeli blockade, let alone for drivers to reach aid warehouses.Deir el-Balah, Gaza – Behind every truck full of food, medicine or fuel is a logistics chain that keeps those vehicles running.But in Gaza, this chain has been disrupted by the Israeli genocide.Recommended Stories list of 4 itemslist 1 of 4Aid workers faced record number of attacks in 2025list 2 of 4Breastfeeding in Gaza: Mothers seek help to provide for their babieslist 3 of 4Israeli strike reported to kill at least six in Gaza Citylist 4 of 4Humanitarianism is not collapsing. It is being traded and compromisedend of listBefore the war, about 1,200 vehicles served Gaza’s transportation and aid needs. Today, only a small number are operating, according to the Euro-Med Human Rights Monitor, which follows the situation of humanitarian aid in the Strip.At least 150 vehicles have been damaged or destroyed, and many others are held together with a combination of repairs and parts from vehicles no longer in use.We followed mechanics and drivers in Gaza who were repairing each other’s trucks and draining fuel from damaged vehicles. “With these hands, I save one truck and let it go so that another can come and take its place,” said one driver.Tyres, oil and engines are in short supply. Mechanics and drivers say that the lack of supplies and spare parts adds to the challenge of keeping the limited number of working vehicles on the road.(Al Jazeera)A drive through devastated GazaFrom the Rafah crossing, trucks carrying goods from Egypt arrive in Gaza.They pass through inspection and enter the Strip, but the road to distribution centres and aid warehouses still lies ahead. The vehicles traverse either Salah al-Din Street or the Philadelphi Corridor (to the main coastal highway, al-Rashid Street).This means the aid has to pass through several points before reaching Gaza governorates, and every step of the way can be blocked due to the devastation in the enclave.