First aid trucks enter Gaza nearly after three months of Israel's blockade

After nearly three months of Israel’s complete blockade of food, medicine and other supplies, first aid trucks entered Gaza on Monday, the United Nations and Israel said. Five trucks carrying baby food and other humanitarian aid entered Gaza, home to over two million Palestinians, through the Kerem Shalom crossing, according to COGAT, the Israeli defense body responsible for coordinating aid to the territory.

The United Nations described it as a “welcome development”, however stressed the need for more aid to tackle the severe humanitarian crisis. Food security experts had warned of an impending famine in Gaza just last week.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that his decision to resume limited, “basic” humanitarian aid to Gaza was influenced by pressure from international allies, who warned they could not support Israel’s renewed military offensive if “images of hunger” emerged from the Palestinian territory.

U.N. humanitarian chief Tom Fletcher called the few aid trucks a “drop in the ocean of what is urgently needed.” He added that an additional four U.N. trucks were cleared to enter Gaza and may cross into the territory tomorrow, according to COGAT. During the ceasefire period, around 600 aid trucks were entering Gaza daily.

Fletcher also warned that due to the chaotic conditions on the ground, the aid might be looted or stolen. He urged Israel to open multiple crossings in northern and southern Gaza to allow for a regular and sufficient flow of humanitarian assistance. Despite these concerns, the announcement raised hopes among Palestinians that more essential supplies — including food and medicine — would follow.

Renewed Offensive and Hostage Negotiations Continue

Over the weekend, Israel launched a new wave of air and ground attacks across Gaza and ordered the evacuation of Khan Younis, the territory’s second-largest city. The city had already suffered extensive damage from a previous large-scale Israeli operation earlier in the 19-month-long conflict.

According to Israeli authorities, the current military offensive is aimed at pressuring Hamas to release the remaining hostages captured during the October 7, 2023, attack that sparked the war. Hamas has insisted that it will only release the hostages in exchange for a lasting ceasefire and a full Israeli withdrawal.

On Monday, Netanyahu declared that Israel intends to “take control of all of Gaza” and implement a new system for distributing humanitarian aid that bypasses Hamas. He also stated that Israel will promote what he described as the voluntary emigration of a large portion of Gaza’s population to other countries.

(With inputs from the Associated Press)