Gunfire, lawlessness and gang-like looters are preventing aid distribution in Gaza, an official says

A U.S. aid official says thousands of tons of food, medicines and other aid piled up on a Gaza beach isn’t reaching those in need because of a dire security situation on the groun. He says truck drivers are either getting caught in the crossfire or have their cargo seized by “gang-like” groups. Doug Stropes, who is with the USAID, says Gaza continues to be an active combat zone that also has a “general sense of lawlessness.” Stropes said on Wednesday that since June 25, ships have delivered almost 7,000 metric tons of humanitarian assistance from Cyprus to Gaza via a U.S.-built pier linked to the territory’s coast. But only 1,000 tons have so far reached Palestinians.