The United Nations has received approval from Israel for approximately 100 additional emergency aid trucks to enter Gaza, marking a significant increase in humanitarian access after weeks of blockade, a UN spokesperson confirmed on Tuesday.
Jens Laerke, spokesperson for the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), said the trucks were cleared to enter through the Kerem Shalom crossing, although only five of the nine trucks approved a day earlier had entered Gaza so far — and were still under Israeli control pending final checks.
The trucks contain essential items, including baby food and nutritional supplements, amid warnings of a looming famine in the enclave of 2.3 million people. “There are babies in urgent life-saving need of these supplements. If they do not get those, they will be in mortal danger,” Laerke said.
The move follows growing international pressure on Israel to ease its 11-week total blockade, imposed amid its ongoing military campaign in Gaza. Israel says the blockade aims to prevent aid from being seized by Hamas — an allegation Hamas denies.
UN officials, including humanitarian chief Tom Fletcher, have described the aid currently reaching Gaza as “a drop in the ocean.” Akihiro Seita, Director of Health at UNRWA, also warned that malnutrition rates are rising and could escalate dramatically if food shortages persist.
The situation remains dire, with the UN continuing to urge for unfettered humanitarian access to avert catastrophe.
Jens Laerke, spokesperson for the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), said the trucks were cleared to enter through the Kerem Shalom crossing, although only five of the nine trucks approved a day earlier had entered Gaza so far — and were still under Israeli control pending final checks.
The trucks contain essential items, including baby food and nutritional supplements, amid warnings of a looming famine in the enclave of 2.3 million people. “There are babies in urgent life-saving need of these supplements. If they do not get those, they will be in mortal danger,” Laerke said.
The move follows growing international pressure on Israel to ease its 11-week total blockade, imposed amid its ongoing military campaign in Gaza. Israel says the blockade aims to prevent aid from being seized by Hamas — an allegation Hamas denies.
UN officials, including humanitarian chief Tom Fletcher, have described the aid currently reaching Gaza as “a drop in the ocean.” Akihiro Seita, Director of Health at UNRWA, also warned that malnutrition rates are rising and could escalate dramatically if food shortages persist.
The situation remains dire, with the UN continuing to urge for unfettered humanitarian access to avert catastrophe.
