Jalandhar(23/10/2023): In a statement published on X, formerly Twitter, Martin Griffiths described the supplies provided by the Egyptian Red Cross and the UN as “another glimmer of hope for the millions of people in dire need of humanitarian aid”, adding “but they need more, much more.”
No details were provided about what was on the trucks.
On Saturday, an initial convoy entered Gaza, where more than two million people have been cut off from water, food, medicine, fuel and other essentials in the wake of the current hostilities.
The 20 trucks brought in desperately needed items such as medical supplies, tins of tuna and tomato paste, wheat flour, and enough drinking water for 22,000 people for a day. Hundreds more trucks are on the Egyptian side of the Rafah crossing awaiting entry.
The UN has been appealing for a continuous flow of aid to Gaza and for Hamas to release dozens of hostages seized during its deadly incursion into southern Israel on 7 October, igniting the crisis.
Israel responded with continuous air strikes, a complete siege of Gaza, and orders for people to evacuate the northern part of the enclave.
Humanitarians report that more than one million people are displaced in Gaza, water systems are at five per cent of normal capacity, and hospitals are overstretched and on the verge of collapse.
In his statement, Mr. Griffiths praised the aid workers on the Palestinian side of the border who “immediately sprang to action to offload the goods” from the trucks “despite the risks.”