For the first time in nearly three months, Israel has allowed a small delivery of humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip, following mounting global pressure and fears of an imminent famine in the war-torn enclave. The United Nations confirmed that a limited number of aid trucks entered Gaza through the Karem Abu Salem (Kerem Shalom) crossing on Monday.
UN humanitarian chief Tom Fletcher welcomed the move but warned that it was not nearly enough. “It is a drop in the ocean of what is urgently required,” he said, stressing that significantly more aid must begin flowing into Gaza immediately. The territory, home to 2.3 million people, is grappling with extreme food insecurity, with the World Health Organization warning that two million are now at risk of famine.
Also Read: Israel to Allow Limited Food Into Gaza Amid Escalating Military Assault
Since March 2, Israel had enforced a complete blockade on Gaza in response to the deadly Hamas-led attack on October 7, which killed over 1,100 people in southern Israel. Prior to the blockade, more than 500 aid trucks entered Gaza daily. In a statement on Monday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu acknowledged that the recent easing came under pressure from international allies.
Despite this shift, Netanyahu emphasized that the amount of aid would remain minimal. His remarks drew sharp criticism from humanitarian organizations and even members of his own government, with far-right ministers calling the move a mistake. Advocacy groups accused Israel of using starvation as a tool of war and labeled the aid entry a public relations gesture.
Meanwhile, ceasefire negotiations between Israel and Hamas remain stalled, with no breakthrough reported from recent indirect talks in Doha. As humanitarian conditions worsen, pressure from Western nations—including threats of targeted sanctions—is intensifying on Israel to lift the siege and allow full aid access.
