The Palestinian Red Crescent has reported that aid trucks that recently crossed into Gaza have yet to reach the local population and warned that sending only a limited number of vehicles invites chaos and danger, reports RTE.
“I can prove that nobody has received (aid). No civilian has received anything yet,” said Younis Al-Khatib, President of the Palestine Red Crescent Society, during a press briefing.
He explained that most of the aid trucks remain at the Karem Shalom crossing, having undergone inspection but not yet entered Gaza, reports RTE.
“It’s very hard to hide the rush or the looting that will happen,” he said, referring to the desperation that comes with inadequate supplies, reports RTE.
According to the Palestinian health minister, 29 people—mostly children and the elderly—have died from starvation-related causes in recent days, with thousands more at risk.
“In the last couple of days we lost 29 children,” said Majed Abu Ramadan, before clarifying that the toll includes elderly individuals as well. He added that the limited food aid now entering Gaza is nowhere near sufficient to cover the massive shortages caused by the blockade in place for the past 11 weeks, reports RTE.
Israel reported that it allowed 100 trucks carrying baby formula and medical supplies into Gaza the previous day. This followed its recent announcement of a limited easing of restrictions.
Responding to UN aid chief Tom Fletcher’s comments to the BBC—where Fletcher warned that 14,000 infants could die without immediate aid—Minister Ramadan said: “The number 14,000 is very realistic, may be even underestimating (the scale),” reports RTE.
The blockade, implemented by Israel in March, has severely restricted the flow of humanitarian aid into Gaza. The United Nations estimates that one-quarter of Gaza’s 2.3 million residents are facing famine.
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Amjad al-Shawa, director of the Palestinian Non-Governmental Organisations Network in Gaza, said some bakeries would soon receive flour for bread production, and distribution would begin later in the day, reports RTE.
He noted that only 90 trucks had entered so far.
“During the ceasefire, 600 trucks used to enter every day, which means that the current quantity is a drop in the ocean, nothing,” he said, reports RTE.
UN-supported bakeries will produce bread, and the World Food Programme will distribute it directly—an effort to ensure that the most vulnerable receive the limited supplies. This differs from previous arrangements where bakeries sold the bread directly at subsidized prices.
“The idea is to try and reach the most needy families, those who are desperate, as it is just the start,” said Mr. Shawa, reports RTE.
Even as aid began to trickle in, Gaza’s civil defence agency reported that 52 people had been killed in the latest wave of Israeli strikes.
The Israeli army issued fresh evacuation orders for 14 areas in northern Gaza, including sections of Beit Lahia and Jabalia. This followed a similar warning the previous evening, which Israel said was a response to rocket attacks.
In Beit Lahia, a tank shell struck a medical warehouse at Al-Awda Hospital, setting it ablaze, according to the health ministry. Rescue teams were working for hours to extinguish the fire, while tanks positioned outside the facility hindered access, medics said, reports RTE.
Gaza’s healthcare system is on the brink of collapse, with the majority of medical infrastructure rendered inoperable due to repeated Israeli strikes, raids, and the embargo on medical supplies.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that Israel was open to a temporary ceasefire to secure the release of hostages held by Hamas. However, he warned that if hostages were not returned, the military campaign would continue with the aim of seizing full control of Gaza, reports RTE.
In response, Hamas senior official Sami Ab Zuhri said: “Netanyahu continues to stall and insist on pursuing the war. There is no value to any agreement that doesn’t stop the massacres in Gaza permanently,” reports RTE.
The conflict was triggered by the Hamas-led attack on October 7, 2023, which, according to Israeli authorities, resulted in the deaths of about 1,200 people and the abduction of 251 hostages.
Since then, more than 53,600 Palestinians have been killed, according to Gaza health officials. The territory has been ravaged, and aid organizations report widespread signs of severe malnutrition, reports RTE.
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