Hundreds of trucks carrying humanitarian aid crossed into Gaza on Sunday, marking the first substantial relief after months of Israel’s brutal attacks that have decimated the enclave.Â
The fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hamas had brought an initial sense of hope, but humanitarian groups warned that the small influx of supplies is far from sufficient to address the scale of destruction and suffering in the besieged enclave.
Medical Aid for Palestinians (MAP) said that while the arrival of 950 trucks since the ceasefire started on Sunday is an encouraging sign, it represents only a small portion of the urgent needs Palestinians are facing.
“[This is] good news in terms of more aid reaching people. However, it’s crucial to understand that this is a drop in the ocean in relation to the enormous health and humanitarian needs in Gaza,” Tessa Pope, MAP’s media and communications officer told The New Arab.
Humanitarian groups have warned that the situation in Gaza is nothing short of catastrophic. According to the UN, by the end of 2023, almost 69 per cent of Gaza’s buildings had either been destroyed or severely damaged.
This has left a population of 2.4 million people struggling to survive under the most challenging conditions. Palestinians have been forcibly displaced multiple times, adding to the already extreme levels of vulnerability.
The situation in Gaza is further exacerbated by the destruction of key infrastructure. The Rafah crossing, once a vital entry point for aid, has been closed since May, with Israeli forces taking control of the Palestinian side.
“Fifteen months of Israel’s military assault and suffocating siege have completely decimated all aspects of life for Palestinians in Gaza. Nearly 90 per cent of the population has been displaced, with entire neighbourhoods reduced to rubble,” Pope said.
“The healthcare system, once a lifeline for many, has been systematically dismantled. Nearly half of Gaza’s hospitals and clinics have been forced to shut down, leaving the remaining facilities overwhelmed and critically under-resourced,” Pope added.
This has created significant bottlenecks in the delivery of humanitarian aid, which already faces severe logistical hurdles. Even with the entry of humanitarian supplies, aid distribution remained hindered by looting and a lack of coordination.
The UN reported that while nearly 2,900 trucks entered Gaza in December, only a fraction of these were successfully unloaded and distributed. In the first five days of January, the daily average of trucks reaching their destination dropped to just 51, compared to 72 per day in the same month.
While the ceasefire deal brokered by the US, Qatar, and Egypt stipulates that 600 trucks of aid should be allowed into Gaza daily during the first six weeks, with 50 of those trucks carrying fuel, experts agree that this is not enough.
Before the war, Gaza received around 500 trucks per day, yet the needs today are far greater. Given the unprecedented scale of destruction and displacement, the humanitarian requirements far exceed what is currently being delivered.
“There is a huge need for shelter items, food, medication, and medical supplies,” Pope said. “We need a surge of aid to all areas of Gaza, and far more than 150 trucks per day. Before the war, about 500 trucks were entering Gaza daily, and the need for humanitarian support is now greater than ever.”
MAP also called for international law to be upheld, with unrestricted access to aid and a permanent ceasefire.Â
“It’s critical that the siege on Gaza be lifted, and that international law be enforced to ensure that aid reaches those who need it most,” Pope said.