Two hundred trucks carrying humanitarian aid supplies entered parts of the Gaza Strip during the first day of the cease-fire between Israel and the Palestinian terrorist organization Hamas.
The United Nations brought in food, water, hygiene products, and equipment for shelters and medical facilities using the large convoy of trucks that arrived in the region on Friday. This delivery is the largest humanitarian convoy to have been received in Gaza since the attack by Hamas on Israel on Oct. 7.
The trucks departed from the Israeli town of Nitzana and entered the enclave through the Rafah crossing between Egypt and Gaza.
Israel permitted 50 of the trucks, containing food, water, shelter and medical supplies, to enter the northern Gaza Strip into areas that had not yet been evacuated, according to the Coordination of Government Activities in the Territories, which oversees aid in Gaza.
The U.N. reported that “21 critically ill patients were evacuated in a large-scale medical operation” from the northern part of the enclave.
Israel had largely restricted aid, allowing only a small amount of food and water to enter Gaza, since Hamas launched its aggressive attack that resulted in the deaths of over 1,200 Israelis last month.
These aid deliveries are part of a four-day cease-fire deal, which also involves the release and exchange of hostages held by Hamas for Palestinian prisoners incarcerated in Israel.
Israel is set to release hundreds of Palestinians as part of the agreement, which was finalized this week following intense negotiations mediated by Qatar and other influential parties in the region. The U.S. also played a role in the discussions.
Hamas has been holding around 240 hostages since the raid by the terrorists.
On Friday, the group released 24 hostages, including 13 Israelis, 10 individuals from Thailand, and one from the Philippines. The released Israeli prisoners ranged in age from 2 to 85.
No Americans were among the first group of hostages released. President Biden stated on Friday that it was uncertain when the Americans held in Gaza will be released, adding that it was his “hope and expectation” that they will be released soon.
