Critical humanitarian aid destined for Gaza remains stranded in Jordanian warehouses, with both Jordanian authorities and United Nations officials confirming that Israeli restrictions have prevented the vast majority of supplies from reaching the besieged territory since March.
Warehouses Packed With Unused Supplies
Sky News has obtained exclusive access to multiple warehouses in the Jordanian capital Amman, revealing vast stockpiles of essential aid items intended for Gaza residents. The stored supplies include tents, tarpaulins, blankets, mattresses, paracetamol and baby formula - all sitting idle despite urgent need.
Jordanian authorities operate three additional similar locations across the country, while the United Nations maintains separate storage facilities also containing significant aid reserves. According to UN estimates, the Jordan-held aid alone represents thousands of trucks' worth of supplies that could provide food for Gaza's entire population for approximately three months.
Winter Crisis Worsens as Aid Remains Stranded
The aid blockage comes as tens of thousands of displaced families living in temporary tents across Gaza face worsening conditions following heavy rainfall that has caused widespread flooding. In the sprawling Muwasi tent camp, which earlier this year sheltered up to 425,000 displaced Palestinians, winter's first strong rainfall has sent water cascading through flimsy temporary shelters.
Assil Naggar, a camp resident, described spending an entire day pushing water out of his tent while watching neighbours' tents and belongings become wrecked by the flooding. "Water puddles are inches high, and there is no proper drainage," he reported, highlighting the desperate need for the waterproof tarpaulins and tents currently stored in Jordan.
Conflicting Accounts From Authorities
The Israeli defence body responsible for humanitarian aid in Gaza, COGAT, has provided a different perspective on the situation. They claim to have facilitated close to 140,000 tarpaulins directly to Gaza residents and stated they've spent months coordinating with international organisations on winter humanitarian responses.
However, an Israeli military official told Sky News that aid from Jordan was specifically stopped after the main border crossing with Israel was closed following a September attack where a Jordanian truck driver killed two Israeli soldiers. The official stated the crossing won't reopen until an investigation concludes, while pointing to alternative aid routes through Egypt.
UNICEF has joined other aid organisations in calling on Israel to allow all supplies into Gaza, having already distributed significant winter provisions including more than 5,000 tents, 220,000 tarps and 29,000 winter clothes kits. Despite these efforts, aid agencies warn the response remains completely inadequate for the estimated 1.4 million people classified as vulnerable in Gaza.
The United Nations maintains that Israel is in breach of international humanitarian law, arguing that as the occupying force, Israel bears responsibility for ensuring safe distribution and coordination of life-saving aid to Gaza's civilian population.
