It was the first humanitarian aid convoy since Israel began a devastating siege 12 days ago and renewed heavy Israeli bombardment overnight that killed dozens of Palestinians.
US President Joe Biden said earlier this week that he had agreed to allow 20 trucks to enter Egypt through the Rafah border crossing in Southern Gaza.
The flatbed trucks, waving white flags and honking, left the border checkpoint after being inspected and headed for the Southern Gaza Strip, home to the major cities of Rafah and Khan Younis, where hundreds of thousands of refugees have been displaced by Israeli attacks.
But Palestinian officials have expressed frustration that fuel reserves have not been taken into account, saying the aid represents just 3 percent of aid given to Gaza before the crisis.
“Excluding the fuel from the humanitarian aid means the lives of patients and injured will remain at risk. Gaza hospitals are running out of the basic requirements to pursue medical interventions,” the Gaza health ministry said.
Israel’s “total siege” of the Gaza Strip following an October 7 border attack by militants from the Islamist movement Hamas in Southern Israel has left Gaza’s 2.3 million residents without food, water, medicine and fuel.
According to the United Nations, the convoy contained life-saving supplies to be received and distributed by the Palestinian Red Crescent with the permission of Hamas, which rules the Gaza Strip.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken welcomed the opening but reiterated Israel’s warning that any aid would not fall into the hands of Hamas.
“We urge all parties to keep the Rafah crossing open to enable the continued movement of aid that is imperative to the welfare of the people of Gaza,” Blinken said in a statement.
“We have been clear: Hamas must not interfere with the provision of this life-saving assistance.”
United Nations (UN) officials said at least 100 trucks a day were needed and large-scale relief efforts must continue.
This is a tall order amid 24-hour Israeli bombardments that have destroyed entire settlements.Before the conflict, an average of 450 aid vehicles reached Gaza every day.
