Gaza receives 200 trucks of humanitarian aid amid cease-fire

Two hundred trucks filled with 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 delivered food, water, hygiene products, and equipment for shelters and medical facilities via the dozens of trucks that entered the region Friday. The U.N. noted that the delivery was “the biggest humanitarian convoy received” in Gaza since Hama attacked Israel on Oct. 7.

The trucks left the Israeli town of Nitzana and entered the enclave through the Rafah crossing between Egypt and Gaza.

Israel allowed 50 of the trucks containing food, water, shelter and medical supplies to enter the northern Gaza Strip into areas that had yet to be evacuated, according to the Coordination of Government Activities in the Territories, which facilitates aid in Gaza.

The U.N. noted that  “21 critical patients were evacuated in a large-scale medical operation” from the northern part of the enclave.

Israel largely halted aid, allowing only a trickle of food and water to enter Gaza, since Hamas launched its brutal assault that killed more than 1,200 Israelis last month.

The aid deliveries come as part of the four-day cease-fire deal, which includes the release and swapping of hostages held by Hamas for Palestinian prisoners held in Israel.

Hundreds of Palestinians are scheduled to be let go by Israel as part of the agreement, which was finalized this week after intense negotiations mediated by Qatar and other influential players in the region. The U.S. also played a role in the talks.

Hamas has been holding about 240 hostages since the terrorists’ raid.

The group released 24 on Friday, including 13 Israelis, 10 people from Thailand and one from the Philippines. The freed Israeli prisoners ranged in age from 2 to 85.

No Americans were part of the first tranche of hostages. President Biden on Friday said it was unclear when the Americans held in Gaza will be released, adding that it was his “hope and expectation” that they will be released soon.