The UN Underreported Roughly 2,200 Aid Trucks Entering Gaza in December
Misleading Data Skews Humanitarian Efforts in Gaza and Fuels the Global Lawfare Campaign Against Israel
The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) and the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) released reports on humanitarian aid trucks entering Gaza between December 1 and December 29, 2024. Following its release, data analyst Avi Bitterman, MD published an important analysis revealing that approximately 2,252 aid trucks were not counted by the two UN agencies during those dates—roughly 50% of the actual number that entered the strip during that period, which was 4,457.
A subsequent clarification from Bitterman explained that the undercounting of aid trucks is not due to selective reporting by OCHA or UNRWA, but rather a shared reliance on incomplete and non-comprehensive data.
Both organizations have dashboards that fail to account for aid delivered by numerous humanitarian agencies. Examples of excluded donors include the Egyptian National Red Crescent Society, MULTIFAITH, UAE, GEM, FAO (a UN organization itself), HEAL, Save the Children, MOVE ONE, Morocco, MAPUK, MDLF, MUSA ELCHIR, Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem, and Samaritan’s Purse.
While UNRWA has recently updated its disclaimers to acknowledge gaps in its reporting, OCHA’s dashboards and snapshots continue to provide misleading or incomplete disclaimers. For example, OCHA’s statements focus primarily on missing private sector data but fail to address omissions from national governments and other UN agencies such as FAO. This lack of transparency obscures the true scale of humanitarian aid reaching Gaza and undermines public trust.
Implications of Undercounting Aid
The implications of such systemic underreporting are profound. Accurate data is the cornerstone of effective humanitarian operations, enabling organizations to allocate resources efficiently and shape sound policies. By failing to provide a full accounting of aid deliveries, OCHA and UNRWA not only misrepresent the situation on the ground but also jeopardize the success of relief efforts. These lapses erode confidence in their ability to operate as impartial and reliable actors in the crisis.
Moreover, Anne Herzberg, a legal advisor with the NGO Monitor research institute, added that “What is also unconscionable is it appears ICJ, ICC, and other Lawfare decisions have been based on this fraudulent UN data. The time to defund these corrupt UN agencies is now.”
Herzberg’s statement underscores the dangers of relying on flawed data in high-stakes international decisions, amplifying the need for immediate corrective action.
As the crisis in Gaza continues, the international community must demand greater accountability from organizations responsible for managing aid. The omissions exposed in this scandal highlight the risks of inaction—undermined trust, ineffective relief, and compromised decision-making at the highest levels.