After Israel allowed some trucks to pass through the border, flour and other food aid began reaching Gaza's most vulnerable residents on Thursday. However, it was not enough to compensate for shortages due an 11-week long blockade.

Israel announced that it had allowed 100 trucks carrying medical and baby food into the enclave, just two days after it first relaxed its restrictions in response to mounting international pressure.

Israel blocked all supplies in march, claiming that Hamas had been stealing deliveries to feed its fighters. This is a claim the group denies. UN reported that a quarter (2.3 million) of Gaza's population was at risk of starvation.

Amjad Al-Shawa, Director of the Palestinian Non-Governmental Organizations Network, said that some bakeries would begin receiving flour for bread production and distribution is expected to start later today.

He said that only 90 trucks made it through. He said that during the ceasefire 600 trucks entered every day. "The current quantity is nothing, a drop in an ocean," he added.

He said that the U.N. World Food Programme will support bakeries to produce the bread, and then the staff of the agency will distribute it. This is a much more controlled system than the previous one where bakers would sell it at low prices directly to the general public.

Shawa explained that the idea was to reach out to the families in the greatest need, the ones who are most desperate.

ATTACKS REPORTED

Local health officials said that Israeli strikes on Gaza on Thursday killed at least 35 Palestinians in the enclave as the first aid since the blockade arrived.

The Israeli military did not immediately comment on the reports. The Israeli military has said repeatedly that it aims to target militants and avoid civilian casualties.

The health ministry reported that a tank shell struck a warehouse of medicine inside Al-Awda Hospital in Beit Lahiya, on the northern edge. It set the building ablaze. The fires had been burning for several hours.

Medics claim that tanks are stationed in front of the hospital and effectively block access to it.

Gaza's healthcare system is barely functional, with many medical facilities not in order due to repeated Israeli raids, military attacks and the ban of entry of medical supplies.

Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel's Prime Minister, said that Israel was open to a ceasefire for a short time to allow the return of hostages captured by Hamas fighters. He said that if the hostages were not returned then Israel would continue its military campaign in order to take control of Gaza.

"Netanyahu is continuing to stall, and insists on pursuing war." "Any agreement that does not stop the Gaza massacres permanently is of no value," said senior Hamas officials Sami Ab Zuhri in response to Netanyahu’s remarks.

Israel began its Gaza campaign in response to Hamas' attack on October 7, 2020, in which 1,200 people were killed by Israeli estimates and 251 hostages were taken into Gaza.

According to Gaza's health authorities, the campaign has killed over 53,600 Palestinians and caused a devastation in the coastal strip where aid agencies report widespread signs of malnutrition. Reporting and writing Nidal al Mughrabi, editing by Andrew Heavens

(source: Reuters)