Flour and other aid reached Gaza: Palestinians call them a « drop in the sea »

Flour and other aid began to reach some of the most vulnerable areas of gas on Thursday after Israel missed some trucks, but they were not enough to compensate for the shortage caused by the 11-week blockade, Palestinian officials said.

Many other trucks were still on the border and people were still waiting to receive food, against the backdrop of fears that desperate crowds would try to rob the vehicles when they arrive, warned the Palestinian red crescent.

Israel said he had allowed 100 trucks carrying baby food and medical equipment on Wednesday, two days after announcing his first relief of restrictions under increasing international pressure.

« The flour arrived from the world food program (to the UN) and we immediately started work, » said bakery Ahmed al-Bana, while flat breads were passing on a conveyor belt behind him at his base in Deir al-Balah on Thursday.

The bakeries in the southern part of the enclave were released, which were closed for two months, he added. « If God has given, the bakeries in North Gaza will soon resume work. »

Israel imposed the blockade of all supplies in March, saying that Hamas had seized the supplies for his fighters – an accusation that the group denies. The UN said a quarter of the 2.3 million people in Gaza are at risk of starvation.

The Palestinian Minister of Health said 29 children and the elderly have died of hunger in Gaza in recent days and that thousands of others have been at risk.

Israel has repeatedly defended its control over Gaza assistance, stating that communications from humanitarian groups on hunger -like conditions have been exaggerated and denies the allegations that it is causing hunger.

The distribution of bread will start later on Thursday, Ash Shawa, director of the Palestinian NGO Network, told Reuters in Gaza. He said only 90 trucks had passed. « During the cessation of the fire, 600 trucks entered every day, which means that the current amount is a drop in the sea, nothing, » he said.

Bakeries, supported by the world food program, will produce bread, and agency employees will give it away – a more controlled system than before when bakers sold it directly to the population at a low price, he added.

Palestinian Red Crescent Palestinian Dennis Al Hatib said many trucks are still on the border at Karem Shalom and that there is a risk of violence and robbery when they arrive. « No civilian has received anything yet, » he said. « It is very difficult to hide the influx or robbery that will happen. »

On Wednesday evening, boys and young men gathered after a transfer remedy arrived in the southern town of Han Einnis in Gaza, but stayed while men, some with weapons, watched the landing of the sacks.

The International Committee of the Red Cross said he had spent a truck with medical supplies to complete his field hospital in Rafah, but more is needed. « Little trucks are extremely insufficient. Only the fast, unobstructed and sustainable stream of help can begin to meet the full range of needs in place, » the organization added in a statement.

Attack reports

Israel has strengthened its military operation in Gaza since early May, stating that it seeks to eliminate Hamas’ military and management capabilities and return the other hostages captured in October 2023.

The pressure inside Israel for harder action is likely to increase after two Israeli Embassy officials were killed by an armed man in Washington, Colombia, on Wednesday night, and police said he had a suspect for propalist slogans.

On Thursday, Israeli hits killed at least 50 Palestinians in Gaza, local health authorities said.

The information had no immediate comment from the Israeli army. She has repeatedly stated that she strives to avoid civilian casualties and attack fighters.

In Bate Lahia, at the north end of the enclave, a tank projectile struck a drug warehouse in Al-Auda Hospital and set it on fire, the health ministry said. Rescuers are trying to suppress the fires for hours, the ministry added. Tanks are located in front of the hospital, doctors say, in practice blocking access to the facility.

The Gaza healthcare system is barely operating, with most medical establishments being out of order due to repeated Israeli military strikes, attacks and the ban on imports of medical supplies.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Wednesday that Israel would be opened for a temporary termination of fire to allow the return of the hostages taken by fighters led by Hamas. But if they were not returned, he said he would continue with a military campaign to gain full control of the gas. « Netanyahu continues to be delayed and insist on the continuation of the war. There is no value to any agreement that does not stop the massacre in Gaza permanently, » said Hamas Sami Zuhri senior official in response to Netanyahu’s comments.

Israel launched its Gaza campaign in response to the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, which, according to Israeli, killed about 1,200 people and 251 hostages were abducted in Gaza.

Since then, the campaign has killed over 53,600 people, according to health authorities in Gaza, and has devastated the coastline where humanitarian organizations claim that there are clear signs of severe malnutrition.