Aid trucks have entered southern Gaza for the first time since Israel sealed it off in the wake of the deadly attack by Hamas two weeks ago – but aid agencies have warned it is a tiny fraction of what is required to alleviate the humanitarian crisis there.
There were cheers from aid workers at the Egypt border as the convoy carrying coffins and medicine passed through the Rafah crossing into the besieged enclave, which is also facing near-continuous bombardment from Israel in its war against Hamas. Gaza’s 2.3 million residents have faced what Israel has called a “total siege” as it steps up its assault on Hamas, whose cross-border attack saw 1,400 people killed and more than 200 people taken hostage. That has left supplies of fuel for power, water, food and medical supplies either running out completely or dwindling.
