Since a fragile ceasefire took effect on January 19, more than 10,000 aid trucks have entered Gaza, according to the United Nations humanitarian chief.
“In the two weeks following the ceasefire, we have facilitated the movement of over 10,000 trucks—a significant increase,” Tom Fletcher stated on X.
The UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator added that he was preparing to enter northern Gaza with an aid convoy himself.
“I appreciate everyone involved in making it possible to deliver essential food, medicine, and shelter supplies,” he said.
His remarks come as Israel and Hamas prepare for negotiations on the second phase of the ceasefire agreement, which has temporarily halted 15 months of intense fighting and bombardment.
Following Hamas' attack on Israel in October 2023, Israel’s subsequent offensive in Gaza resulted in at least 47,518 deaths, most of them civilians, according to Gaza’s Hamas-run health ministry. The UN considers these figures credible.
Before the ceasefire, only a limited amount of aid was reaching Gaza, leading international humanitarian organizations to repeatedly warn of severe hunger and an impending famine in the besieged territory.
The truce has significantly increased the flow of food, fuel, medicine, and other essential supplies into Gaza, while also allowing displaced residents to return to northern areas.
As part of the ceasefire’s 42-day first phase, 18 hostages have been released so far in exchange for approximately 600 Palestinian prisoners from Israeli jails.
