Gaza Strip, January 10 — The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) announced that 915 aid trucks entered the Gaza Strip on Monday, marking the second day of a tenuous ceasefire between Israel and Hamas following 15 months of conflict.
OCHA, citing data from Israel and ceasefire facilitators—the United States, Qatar, and Egypt—highlighted a significant increase from Sunday, when approximately 630 aid trucks reached the Palestinian enclave. Of those, at least 300 were directed to northern Gaza, an area where experts warn of an imminent famine.
The ceasefire agreement stipulates that 600 truckloads of aid are to enter Gaza daily during the initial six-week truce, including 50 trucks carrying essential fuel supplies. Half of these shipments are designated for northern Gaza, aiming to alleviate the dire humanitarian situation.
According to the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), a total of 2,892 aid trucks entered Gaza in December. These supplies are transferred to the Gaza side of the border for UN distribution. However, challenges persist as distribution efforts have been obstructed by gangs and looters.
OCHA reported that 2,230 aid truckloads—averaging 72 per day—were successfully distributed in December. This average declined to 51 trucks per day between January 1 and January 5, underscoring the difficulties in delivering aid to those in need.
The prolonged conflict has devastated vast areas of Gaza, displacing its pre-war population of 2.3 million multiple times. UN Secretary-General António Guterres has labeled the humanitarian crisis as “catastrophic.”
Addressing the UN Security Council on Monday, Guterres emphasized the immense challenges the UN faces in providing assistance. He called for immediate, safe, and unhindered access for humanitarian aid.
“Visas, permits, and other enabling conditions must be in place quickly to allow a surge of desperately needed relief,” Guterres stated. “We require the necessary technical, protective, and communications equipment.”
He urged both Israel and Hamas to collaborate effectively with the UN to facilitate humanitarian operations. “This also includes the restoration of public order and safety to prevent the looting of humanitarian supplies,” he added.
Guterres also appealed to nations to accept patients in need of medical treatment, ensure sufficient commercial supplies reach Gaza, and assist in removing unexploded ordnance.
The conflict, which escalated after an attack on October 7, 2023, has resulted in significant loss of life. Israel reports that approximately 1,200 people were killed during the attack that ignited the hostilities. The Gaza Health Ministry states that over 47,000 Palestinians have died since the war began.
The international community watches closely as efforts continue to maintain the ceasefire and provide much-needed relief to the people of Gaza.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
