More than 10,000 aid trucks have crossed into Gaza since a fragile ceasefire took effect on January 19, according to the UN humanitarian chief Tom Fletcher.
In a statement shared on X, Fletcher said the aid delivery was a "massive surge" in the two weeks following the truce. He added that he was preparing to cross into northern Gaza himself with a convoy of aid.
"Thank you to the many people making it possible to get these trucks of vital, lifesaving food, medicine, and tents through," Fletcher said.
The remarks come as Israel and Hamas prepare to negotiate the second phase of the ceasefire, which has halted 15 months of continuous fighting and bombing following the deadly October 7, 2023 attack.
Before the ceasefire, only minimal aid was entering Gaza, prompting international aid organizations to report severe hunger and warn of a looming famine in the Israeli-besieged territory.
The truce has enabled a surge in deliveries of food, fuel, medical supplies, and other aid, allowing displaced individuals to return to northern Gaza.
As part of the 42-day initial phase of the truce, 18 hostages have been released in exchange for around 600 predominantly Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails.
The Gaza Health Ministry reported on Thursday that the death toll from the war had reached 47,583. The figure continues to rise as bodies are recovered from rubble and wounded individuals succumb to their injuries. In the past 24 hours alone, the ministry recorded 31 more deaths and 111,633 wounded since the start of the war.
In a statement shared on X, Fletcher said the aid delivery was a "massive surge" in the two weeks following the truce. He added that he was preparing to cross into northern Gaza himself with a convoy of aid.
"Thank you to the many people making it possible to get these trucks of vital, lifesaving food, medicine, and tents through," Fletcher said.
The remarks come as Israel and Hamas prepare to negotiate the second phase of the ceasefire, which has halted 15 months of continuous fighting and bombing following the deadly October 7, 2023 attack.
Before the ceasefire, only minimal aid was entering Gaza, prompting international aid organizations to report severe hunger and warn of a looming famine in the Israeli-besieged territory.
The truce has enabled a surge in deliveries of food, fuel, medical supplies, and other aid, allowing displaced individuals to return to northern Gaza.
As part of the 42-day initial phase of the truce, 18 hostages have been released in exchange for around 600 predominantly Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails.
The Gaza Health Ministry reported on Thursday that the death toll from the war had reached 47,583. The figure continues to rise as bodies are recovered from rubble and wounded individuals succumb to their injuries. In the past 24 hours alone, the ministry recorded 31 more deaths and 111,633 wounded since the start of the war.
