Israel announced that after an 11-week blockade it had allowed the Israeli military organisation Cogat to allow five UN trucks carrying humanitarian aid, including food for babies, into the Gaza Strip through the Kerem Shalom crossing on the evening of Monday, the 19th of May, “on the advice of professional IDF officers and in accordance with instructions from the political echelon”, reports the British broadcaster BBC.
The UN humanitarian chief welcomed the move, but stressed that it was only “a drop in the ocean of what is urgently needed” for the 2.1 million Palestinians in the war-torn territory, where world experts warn of looming famine.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said his decision to temporarily allow in a “minimal” amount of food came after pressure from US Senate allies.
“We must not end up in a situation of famine, both from a practical and diplomatic point of view,” he stressed in a video in response to criticism of the move in Israel. “Therefore, in order to win, we have to solve this problem somehow. … we have to provide a minimum, a basic bridge – just enough to prevent famine.”
Netanyahu said food deliveries would continue only until the Israeli armed forces and private companies had set up centres to distribute aid under a US-backed plan rejected by the UN.
HE ALSO ANNOUNCED THAT THE IDF WOULD “TAKE CONTROL OF ALL AREAS” IN GAZA AS PART OF THE EXPANDED GROUND OFFENSIVE AGAINST HAMAS THAT THE IDF LAUNCHED ON SUNDAY.
Meanwhile, at least 40 people were killed in Israeli air strikes across the territory on Monday, according to first responders and hospitals.
One strike reportedly killed five people at a school used as a shelter for displaced families in the Nusseirat refugee camp in central Gaza.
The Israeli armed forces announced that they had attacked “Hamas terrorists” operating in the command and control centre in the area.
Israel also ordered the evacuation of the southern city of Khan Younis and its eastern suburbs, warning residents that an “unprecedented attack” was about to begin there.
On the 2nd of March, Israel cut off all humanitarian and commercial supplies to Gaza and two weeks later resumed its military offensive, ending a two-month ceasefire with Hamas.
It said the aim was to put pressure on the armed group to release hostages still held in Gaza.
Israel’s renewed bombardment and ground operation has reportedly killed more than 3 000 people and displaced 400 000, while the UN says the blockade has caused severe shortages of food, medicine and fuel.
Last week, the Hamas-led Ministry of Health reported that 57 children have died of malnutrition in the past 11 weeks, and a UN-backed Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) assessment warned that half a million people are at risk of starvation.
On Monday, the leaders of the UK, France and Canada said the decision to bring food aid into the Gaza Strip was “totally inadequate”.
“If Israel does not halt its renewed military offensive and lift humanitarian restrictions, we will take further concrete steps in response,” the joint statement said.
Netanyahu responded with a statement accusing the three leaders of calling on Israel to “end the defensive war for our survival”, saying that by doing so they were “offering a huge reward” for the 7th of October attacks, while “calling for more such atrocities”.
“Israel embraces President Trump’s vision and urges all European leaders to do the same,” he added.
While Israeli and Hamas negotiators are still in Qatar, both sides claim that the new round of indirect talks on a ceasefire and hostage release agreement has not achieved a breakthrough.
Israel launched its military campaign in Gaza in response to the cross-border attack by Hamas on the 7th of October 2023, in which some 1 200 people were killed and another 251 taken hostage.
According to the Gaza Ministry of Health, at least 53 475 people have been killed in Gaza since then.