Israeli army says ‘small amounts’ of aid to enter Gaza today
Palestinian media report 50 trucks carrying flour, cooking oil and legumes would be allowed into Gaza later in the day while Israeli media say nine trucks with baby food are expected to enter in the coming hours.
“If I’m not mistaken, trucks will be entering, are planned to enter today already. Small amounts,” Israeli military spokesman Nadav Shoshani told reporters.
He said it takes time to create a situation in which hundreds of trucks would be able to enter daily. The decision to allow aid in was “a political one”, he said.
Israel has faced rising pressure over the total blockade on humanitarian deliveries it imposed on March 2, shortly before breaking a two-month ceasefire, as aid agencies warn of famine in the enclave of 2.3 million people.
The aid that will enter Gaza will be nowhere near enough
One Israeli official has said that in the coming days there will be “dozens of trucks entering Gaza with food”.
Remember, the Israeli prime minister has said that a very “basic” quantity of food would be allowed into the Gaza Strip so that the Israelis can continue with their military operations. That’s the real reason that he’s signed off on it.
It’s also worth mentioning that there’s been a lot of international pressure on the Israelis – from the Americans, from other allies in Europe and Canada – to try and bring back this humanitarian assistance into Gaza.
But there has been no mention of fuel, water, medical supplies – even given the fact that for nearly three months there has been a total blockade on all humanitarian assistance going into Gaza.
The Israelis say the current mechanisms in place like with the World Central Kitchen and the UN’s World Food Programme will be used to distribute the aid until this new US nonprofit called the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation comes in and sets up shop for these distribution centres.
It’s still kind of unclear exactly how it’s all going to work out. But make no mistake, the aid that’s going to be entering Gaza is nowhere near enough.
First aid trucks enter Gaza after nearly 3 months of total Israeli blockade
The first aid trucks have entered Gaza after nearly three months of Israel’s complete blockade, according to Israel and the UN.
Five trucks carrying aid including baby food entered the territory of 2.3 million Palestinians via the Karem Abu Salem (Kerem Shalom in Hebrew) crossing, according to the Israeli defence body in charge of coordinating aid to Gaza.
The UN called it a “welcome development” but said much more aid is needed to address the humanitarian crisis. Food security experts last week warned of famine.
