Gaza aid fleet shrinks from 1,200 vehicles as routes, parts and drivers fail
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Gaza's humanitarian transport network has collapsed after months of war: only a small fraction of the pre-war fleet of about 1,200 vehicles is still running, the Euro-Med Human Rights Monitor reports. Trucks entering from Egypt through the Rafah crossing must pass along Salah al-Din Street or the Philadelphi Corridor to reach distribution centres, but breakdowns, fuel shortages and a lack of tyres and engines stop many before delivery.
Key Facts
- At least 150 vehicles have been damaged or destroyed in Gaza, and many others are held together with repairs and parts from vehicles no longer in use.
- In Deir el-Balah, mechanics and drivers repair each other’s trucks and drain fuel from damaged vehicles because tyres, oil and engines are in short supply.
- Aid trucks entering from Egypt through the Rafah crossing must traverse either Salah al-Din Street or the Philadelphi Corridor to reach Gaza’s governorates and distribution centres.
- Naser Isleem, father of Palestinian aid driver Ahmed Isleem, showed photos and videos of his son, who was killed by Israeli forces while attempting to deliver assistance to Gaza.
Vehicle Fleet and Repairs
Before the war, about 1,200 vehicles served Gaza’s transportation and aid needs, and only a small number are operating today, the Euro-Med Human Rights Monitor reports. 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. In Deir el-Balah, mechanics and drivers repair each other’s trucks and drain fuel from damaged vehicles. Tyres, oil and engines are in short supply, and 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.
Route and Access Points
From the Rafah crossing, trucks carrying goods from Egypt arrive in Gaza and pass through inspection before entering the Strip. The vehicles must traverse either Salah al-Din Street or the Philadelphi Corridor to the main coastal highway, al-Rashid Street. 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. If a truck breaks down, its load is inaccessible, and another vehicle without tyres, obstructed by a breakdown or without fuel, will carry less cargo or be unable to move at all.
Risk to Drivers
Naser Isleem, father of Palestinian aid driver Ahmed Isleem, showed photos and videos of his son with his wife and children. Ahmed Isleem was killed by Israeli forces while attempting to deliver assistance to Gaza. Ahmed’s journey has been among many to end in death, with drivers exposed to the dangers of Israeli forces and Israeli-backed militias. His story also shows the risks of the current system of transporting goods in Gaza.
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Gaza aid fleet shrinks from 1,200 vehicles as routes, parts and drivers fail
