Israel backs down under international pressure, allowing 100 aid trucks into Gaza

Israel has backed down somewhat under international pressure. After five trucks on Tuesday morning, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government allowed another 100 humanitarian aid (food, water and medicine) trucks to enter Gaza overnight.

At least half a million Palestinians in Gaza are facing famine due to the two-and-a-half-month blockade by the Israeli army.

In addition to Israeli bombs and missiles, countless people are dying of starvation and lack of medical care. Especially children. Tom Fletcher, the head of the UN's humanitarian department, told the BBC on Tuesday that 14,000 children could die in Gaza in the next 48 hours if adequate aid does not arrive!

After that, several countries including Britain, France and Canada openly warned Israel. Under international pressure, the Netanyahu government finally allowed 100 aid trucks to enter. Jens Larke, an official with the UN's humanitarian department, said in Geneva on Tuesday afternoon, "We have requested and received permission to enter more aid trucks into Gaza. This is much more than yesterday." 

Regardless, Tel Aviv launched the operation after the September 7, 2023 attack on the pro-independence Palestinian armed group Hamas. The two sides agreed to a temporary ceasefire on January 15 of this year at the initiative of Qatar, the United States and Egypt. However, after the first phase of the ceasefire expired, the Israeli army resumed its attacks on Gaza in early March. At the same time, various restrictions were imposed, including stopping the supply of food and relief to the Gaza Strip. As a result, a virtual famine has occurred in Gaza. 

 An organization called Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) has presented a pitiful picture of the people of war-torn Gaza in its report. It claims that most of the 2 million Palestinians living in Gaza are victims of severe malnutrition. Children are the most affected. In this atmosphere, Netanyahu last week warned of establishing an absolute occupation in Gaza by eliminating Hamas. After that, about 500,000 Palestinian refugees have been threatened to leave Khan Yunis. Despite allowing aid to enter, the Israeli army has not stopped its attacks on Gaza. At least 50 ordinary Palestinians were killed in their attacks on Tuesday.