April 3, 2024

Gaza, Palestine animal feed shipments blocked at border

The United Nations' food agency said that shipments of animal feed, crucial for sustaining milk production in cows, were halted at the Gaza, Palestine border for months during Israel's military campaign against Hamas militants in the blockaded Palestinian territory, Reuters reported.

According to AbdulHakim Elwaer, assistant director-general of the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), the barley meant for farmers and herders, mainly in northern Gaza, would have been sufficient to produce milk for all the children in Gaza for over a month.

He said that although the blockade has been lifted, the shipments are yet to enter Gaza.

Although Elwaer did not specify the authority responsible for denying the aid, border inspections at the Rafah crossing into Gaza are typically conducted by Israel. The Israeli Defence Ministry's agency, Cogat, tasked with coordinating aid into Gaza, did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

After initially receiving approval from Israel, the supplies remained near the border for two months. UN agencies have warned of an impending famine.

Elwaer explained that the animal feed was rejected at the border due to priority shipments of food and water. While he was notified in late March that the refusal had been lifted, he highlighted the challenges of the lengthy fumigation and preparation process required before resending the shipments to Rafah. Moreover, even if the supplies reach Rafah, there are uncertainties about transporting them to northern Gaza.

-      Reuters