Amount of aid reaching Gaza during Israel-Hamas truce? : Analysis

Aid groups warn that the Gaza Strip is facing a severe humanitarian crisis as the truce between Israel and Hamas extends into its sixth day. The truce was established to secure the release of Israeli captives in exchange for Palestinian prisoners and allow for increased humanitarian aid to enter Gaza. While there has been some increase in aid entering the region through the Rafah border crossing, it has not been sufficient to meet the critical needs of Gaza’s displaced population of 2.3 million people. The truce, which began on Friday and has been extended twice, has allowed for the delivery of limited assistance, but much more aid is required to address the basic needs of the population. Prior to the current war, Gaza was receiving an average of 500 aid trucks per day, compared to the 150 trucks per day during the truce. Aid organizations such as Oxfam have described the pause in violence as a temporary solution to a larger problem. The war has caused significant devastation in Gaza, with a high death toll and widespread injuries due to medical shortages. The Israeli military’s attacks on the north have forced many people to move south, where supplies of food, fuel, and water are scarce. International NGO ActionAid has highlighted that the deliveries of aid have largely been limited to the south, leaving those in the north at risk of dehydration and disease outbreaks. The situation in the Kamal Adwan Hospital, the only remaining medical facility in the north, is particularly critical, as the hospital urgently requires fuel to continue operations. The dire humanitarian situation in Gaza has raised concerns about famine and disease outbreaks, and there are fears among residents that the bombing will resume after the truce. Israel has expressed its intention to eliminate Hamas from the enclave, and while the south has been declared a “safe zone,” there have been repeated attacks on Khan Younis before the truce. Negotiations must continue to upgrade the truce to a full humanitarian ceasefire, according to the spokesperson for the UN chief. However, the current aid response is inadequate to meet the overwhelming needs in Gaza.

Source: Aljazeera news: Israel-Hamas truce: How much aid has entered Gaza?