The United Nations announced on Saturday that 61 trucks bringing medical supplies, food, and water have arrived in northern Gaza, where violence has ceased, allowing relief to enter the besieged coastal enclave.
Another 200 trucks were despatched to the Gaza Strip from Nitzana, Israel, according to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), with 187 of them having crossed the border by early evening local time.
“Eleven ambulances, three coaches, and a flatbed were delivered to Al-Shifa hospital, which had seen heavy fighting in recent days, to assist with evacuations”, the statement reads.
“The longer the pause lasts, the more aid humanitarian agencies will be able to send in and across Gaza”, it added, expressing gratitude to the Palestinian and Egyptian Red Crescent societies.
According to the UN, 137 trucks transported aid to Gaza the day before, when a temporary truce between Israel and Hamas began to facilitate the hostage and prisoner exchange.
“We welcome the release of more hostages today and renew our call for the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages”, a statement from the OCHA read.
“And we hope the release of more Palestinian detainees brings relief to their families and loved ones”, it continued.
Exchanges proceeded into early Sunday, local time, with Hamas slated to release a total of 50 hostages during the four-day cease-fire in exchange for 150 Palestinian inmates, according to an agreement negotiated by Qatar, Egypt, and the United States.
When Hamas fighters stormed through Gaza’s military border with Israel on October 7, they abducted approximately 240 individuals, murdering approximately 1,200 Israelis and foreigners.
Following the bloodiest attack in its history, Israel began an air, artillery, and naval bombardment with a military offensive to eliminate Hamas, killing roughly 15,000 people, largely civilians and including thousands of children, according to the Hamas administration in Gaza.
Also read: Israel releases 39 Palestinians, including 6 women and 33 minors
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