After nearly three months of Israel’s blockade, the first aid trucks have entered Gaza, marking a small but significant development in the humanitarian crisis unfolding in the region. Five trucks carrying baby food and other critical supplies passed through the Kerem Shalom crossing, coordinated by COGAT, the Israeli defense body responsible for aid logistics.
The United Nations welcomed this development, but emphasized its inadequacy, with humanitarian chief Tom Fletcher labeling it a mere “drop in the ocean” amid looming famine conditions. During a previous ceasefire, around 600 aid trucks entered Gaza daily, highlighting the current aid volume as severely insufficient.
Additional U.N. trucks have been cleared to enter Gaza, potentially arriving the following day, but serious challenges remain. Fletcher warned of the risks of looting and theft due to the desperate conditions on the ground.
As resources become increasingly scarce, the potential for aid being intercepted before reaching those in need is growing. The ongoing chaos and lack of infrastructure make reliable and secure distribution highly difficult. This instability undermines efforts to effectively address the humanitarian needs of over two million Palestinians residing in the war-torn territory.
Netanyahu Allows Minimal Aid Amid Pressure, Faces Backlash Over Controversial Distribution Plan
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s decision to allow minimal aid was reportedly influenced by pressure from international allies, including the U.S., who expressed discomfort with the global optics of widespread hunger in Gaza. Netanyahu acknowledged in a video statement that “our greatest friends” could not support Israel’s ongoing military campaign if it resulted in starvation among civilians.
The decision sparked backlash from far-right factions within his coalition, who opposed any aid deliveries to Gaza. To appease critics, Netanyahu described the aid as temporary and limited, and tied to the establishment of a new U.S.-backed distribution system overseen by the Israeli military.
First Aid Convoy Enters Gaza as Netanyahu Faces Global Backlash and Humanitarian Outcry IntensifiesThe proposed new aid system would see assistance distributed through hubs secured by Israeli forces, aimed at preventing Hamas from accessing supplies. However, U.N. agencies and humanitarian organizations have rejected the plan, arguing it could weaponize aid and violate humanitarian norms.
Critics say the system would fail to reach enough people and would require many Palestinians to relocate once again, mostly to southern Gaza. The humanitarian groups have refused to participate in what they see as a politicized and inadequate solution that may worsen the suffering of displaced families.
Global Outcry Intensifies Over Israel’s Actions and Gaza’s Deepening Humanitarian Catastrophe
In a rare move, the U.K., France, and Canada issued a strongly worded joint statement denouncing the limited aid as “wholly inadequate.” They threatened possible sanctions if Israel’s military escalation and restrictive aid policies continued. The statement criticized both the blockade of Gaza and the expansion of settlements in the occupied West Bank.
It described Israel’s military response as disproportionate and warned that continued actions violating international law could lead to more severe diplomatic consequences. Other major nations, including Germany, Italy, and Japan, also urged Israel to fully restore humanitarian access through U.N. and NGO channels.
The ongoing war, triggered by Hamas’ October 2023 attack on southern Israel that killed 1,200 and abducted 251 individuals, has since escalated into a devastating conflict. Israel’s retaliatory operations have reportedly killed over 53,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry.
The conflict has displaced approximately 90% of Gaza’s population, often multiple times. Despite calls for a ceasefire, Netanyahu reaffirmed plans to take full control of Gaza and encourage emigration of its population — a position firmly rejected by Palestinians. Meanwhile, the humanitarian crisis deepens as famine, destruction, and displacement continue to define life in the enclave.