After nearly three months of restricted access, Israel has permitted a small number of UN aid trucks to enter Gaza, delivering critical supplies like baby food. However, the United Nations warned that this limited delivery falls far short of meeting the urgent needs of Gaza’s 2.1 million residents, many of whom are facing the threat of famine.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed that the decision to allow minimal food deliveries was made under pressure from allies, particularly members of the U.S. Senate. “We must avoid famine — both for humanitarian and diplomatic reasons,” Netanyahu stated in a video message addressing internal criticism of the move.
According to Netanyahu, the food assistance will continue only until Israel and private contractors finalize the setup of distribution centers under a U.S.-backed humanitarian aid plan, which the UN has rejected. He also reiterated Israel’s military goal of gaining full control over Gaza as part of its intensified campaign against Hamas.
Monday saw renewed violence across Gaza, with Israeli airstrikes reportedly killing at least 40 people. One of the attacks hit a school in Nuseirat refugee camp that was sheltering displaced families. The Israeli military said the target was a Hamas command center.
Evacuation orders were issued for the southern city of Khan Younis and surrounding areas, ahead of what the Israeli army described as an “unprecedented attack.”
Israel had stopped all humanitarian and commercial deliveries to Gaza on March 2 and resumed military operations two weeks later, ending a brief ceasefire. Since then, more than 3,000 people have reportedly been killed and around 400,000 displaced. Aid groups say the blockade has caused critical shortages of food, fuel, and medical supplies.
According to Gaza’s health ministry, at least 57 children have died due to malnutrition during the blockade. A UN-backed food security assessment warns that roughly 500,000 people are on the brink of starvation.
International law mandates that Israel, as the occupying power, ensure the delivery of basic necessities. Israeli authorities maintain that aid shipments were sent during the truce and accuse Hamas of looting supplies — an allegation the group denies.
Facing mounting pressure from global partners, Netanyahu’s office announced on Sunday that a “basic quantity of food” would be allowed into Gaza to prevent mass starvation. Critics within Israel, particularly from the far-right, quickly condemned the move. National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir called it a “grave mistake,” accusing it of empowering Hamas.
Netanyahu responded to critics by emphasizing the necessity of avoiding famine to maintain international support. “Our allies tell us: ‘We support your war goals, but we cannot accept images of mass starvation,’” he said.
He also claimed that previous aid routes via the UN had been compromised by theft and that the new method — involving the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, a U.S.-supported NGO — would distribute aid from IDF-secured hubs.
Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, another far-right leader, sought to reassure the public by highlighting the broader aim of the offensive: to displace Gazans southward and, eventually, out of the territory entirely.
Meanwhile, world leaders including UK Labour Leader Sir Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, and Canadian PM Mark Carney, criticized Israel’s aid move as “wholly inadequate.” In a joint statement, they warned of possible sanctions if Israel continues its offensive and refuses to lift aid restrictions.
Netanyahu pushed back, accusing them of undermining Israel’s right to self-defense and of rewarding Hamas’s October 7 attacks. “demanding an end to this war, they are offering a prize for terrorism,” he said, urging European nations to back the U.S. peace framework instead.
Late Monday, the Israeli military confirmed that five UN trucks carrying humanitarian aid had entered Gaza through the Kerem Shalom crossing, following recommendations from military officials and approval from political leadership.
UN Humanitarian Chief Tom Fletcher described the delivery as a “welcome first step” but reiterated that it is far from enough. He called for significantly more aid to be allowed into Gaza starting immediately.
Although nine UN trucks had been cleared for entry, none could distribute supplies Monday night due to darkness and safety concerns. UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric noted that operations were paused due to risks on the ground.
Israeli foreign ministry officials said more aid trucks would be allowed in over the coming days. However, aid organizations voiced skepticism about the feasibility of Israel’s new aid distribution plan. José Andrés, founder of World Central Kitchen, said the infrastructure wouldn’t be ready for weeks and warned that the current plan could leave many Palestinians without food.
Several humanitarian agencies said they already have nearly 9,000 aid trucks ready and a proven system to deliver supplies efficiently. They also rejected the Israel-US aid model, arguing that it violates humanitarian principles and may exclude vulnerable populations.
Displaced Palestinians in Gaza describe desperate living conditions. Abd al-Fatah Hussein, currently sheltering with his family near Khan Younis, said they are surviving on just one meal a day due to extreme food scarcity and unaffordable prices.
Mohammed Abu Rijleh, who leads the Gaza Youth charity, said his team managed to serve only 2,500 meals on Monday, far fewer than usual, because of limited food availability.
On the military front, Netanyahu confirmed that Israeli forces were engaged in “intense battles” and reaffirmed the goal of defeating Hamas and rescuing the remaining 58 hostages — of whom only 23 are believed to be alive.
IDF spokesperson Brig. Gen. Effie Defrin said five army divisions are currently active in operations that aim to divide Gaza and displace the population to ensure safety.
Despite ongoing talks in Qatar, there has been no progress on a potential ceasefire or hostage release agreement.
Israel’s military campaign began following the Hamas-led attack on October 7, 2023, which left 1,200 people dead and 251 taken hostage. Since then, over 53,000 people have been killed in Gaza, including more than 3,000 since fighting resumed earlier this month.
Source: BBC
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