A convoy of 20 trucks, slated to deliver crucial aid to the besieged Gaza Strip through the Rafah crossing from Egypt, has yet to reach its destination, according to a statement from a UN official. UN aid spokesperson Eri Kaneko expressed hope that the materials would enter Gaza the following day.
While 54 trucks carrying essential supplies, including food, medicine, and water, successfully entered Gaza since Saturday, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres characterised it as “a drop of aid in an ocean of need.” The Gaza Strip, home to 2.2 million people, is grappling with escalating internal displacement, with 1.4 million already displaced, particularly in the wake of Israel’s evacuation orders in mid-October.
The UN emphasises the critical role of fuel supplies in sustaining its humanitarian operations in Gaza, warning of a potential halt by the end of the next day if fuel does not enter the region.
Currently, almost 590,000 people seek refuge in 150 designated emergency shelters, primarily UN-operated school buildings. Overcrowding concerns arise as this surpasses double the capacity of these emergency facilities.
Meanwhile, the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) reported targeting a “terrorist cell attempting to infiltrate Israeli territory.” IDF forces are conducting ongoing searches in the area, with naval forces also reportedly thwarting a Hamas diver cell attempting to infiltrate Israeli territory by sea.
The complex situation in the region underscores the urgent need for sustained humanitarian aid and diplomatic efforts to address the mounting challenges faced by the people of Gaza.
