The United Nations reported on Tuesday that it has been unable to distribute aid in the Gaza Strip via the Israel-controlled Kerem Shalom crossing. The U.N.

cites lawlessness and panic among the hungry population in the area as significant obstacles, even though Israel has implemented a daytime pause in military activity to facilitate aid delivery.

In a move to allow humanitarian aid to reach Gaza, Israel announced on Sunday a daily pause in its military operations from 0500 GMT until 1600 GMT.

This pause is intended to secure the road from Israel via the Kerem Shalom crossing to the Salah al-Din Road and further north in Gaza.

Despite this pause, U.N. spokesperson Farhan Haq highlighted that aid has not reached those in need due to the dangerous conditions between Kerem Shalom and Salah al-Din road. "Fighting is not the only reason for being unable to pick up aid," Haq stated. "The lack of any police or rule of law in the area makes it very dangerous to move goods there."

The U.N. is committed to ensuring aid reaches Gaza's population. "We are ready to engage with all parties to ensure that aid reaches people in Gaza, and we'll continue to work with the authorities and with security forces," Haq said.

He emphasized the importance of a regular flow of goods to prevent panic among the starving population. "When aid gets to a place, people are starving, and they're worried that this may be the last food that they see," he added.

The United Nations and aid organizations have consistently faced challenges in delivering aid to Gaza, where a looming famine has been warned.

Since the onset of the Israel-Hamas war over eight months ago, aid for 2.3 million Palestinians has primarily been routed through the Rafah crossing from Egypt and the Kerem Shalom crossing from Israel.

However, aid deliveries were disrupted last month when Israel intensified military operations in Rafah to eliminate remaining Hamas fighters, leading to Egypt closing the Rafah crossing and rerouting aid through Kerem Shalom.

Haq reported that the Rafah crossing remains closed, with limited access via Kerem Shalom.

In northern Gaza, the Erez crossing is inaccessible due to escalated fighting, while the West Erez and Zikim crossings remain operational.