The initial batch of trucks delivering aid made their way into Gaza on Saturday. However, global leaders have expressed concerns, emphasizing that the current assistance is insufficient to address the severe humanitarian crisis in Gaza, home to over 2 million residents. This move comes two weeks post Israel’s decision to impose a full blockade on Gaza, following deadly assaults by the Islamist extremist group, Hamas.
The trucks entered Gaza via the Rafah crossing, which is the sole access point not under Israeli control. These trucks, originating from Egypt, offloaded the humanitarian supplies and then returned to the Egyptian side of the Rafah border crossing.
The atmosphere on the Egyptian side was one of elation as the crossing was opened, with people expressing their joy through ululations and chants. As per the Egyptian authorities at the Rafah crossing, the convoy consisted of 13 trucks loaded with medical supplies, five with food, and two with water.
Ursula von der Leyen, the European Commission’s President, described this as a significant initial step towards alleviating the suffering of innocent individuals. However, aid workers have highlighted that the current supplies are merely a fraction of what is truly needed for the 2.2 million individuals residing in Gaza, who are under a blockade enforced by both Israel and Egypt.
Martin Griffiths, the UN’s Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, mentioned that the aid’s delivery was the result of several days of intense negotiations. He further added that the humanitarian situation in Gaza has reached alarming levels, with hospitals on the brink of shutting down and residents rapidly running out of essential supplies due to Israel’s continuous bombardment.
The World Health Organization’s Director-General, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, emphasized that the current aid received by Gaza’s residents falls short of their actual needs. The WHO is collaborating with the Egyptian and Palestine Red Crescent societies to ensure the safe transportation of supplies to healthcare facilities. They also highlighted the severe shortages that have pushed Gaza’s hospitals to their limits.
The Ministry of Health in Gaza stated that the aid convoy only meets 3% of the daily health and humanitarian requirements that were previously supplied to the Gaza Strip.
In the occupied West Bank’s Ramallah, Mustafa Barghouti, the head of the Palestinian National Initiative, stated that Gaza requires immediate aid in the form of “7,000 trucks,” adding that the current 20 trucks won’t bring about significant change.
