After three months of a firm restriction, Tel Aviv allowed the entrance of a tiny number of philanthropic assistance aart into Gaza on Monday, marking a critical but vastly inadequate development in the worsening crisis. The move comes amid mounting pressure from Israel’s allies and growing international condemnation of the ongoing military offensive that has devastated the Palestinian territory and left millions facing starvation and displacement.
The announcement of aid entry was swiftly met with condemnation from key European and North American allies. The UK, France, and Canada delivered a united announcement marking the aid “wholly inadequate” and condemning Israel’s armed activities in Gaza and settlement enlargement in the beleaguered West Bank as “egregious.” The countries threatened “concrete actions,” including sanctions, if Israel failed to alter its course. Canada has already imposed sanctions related to settler violence in the West Bank, while France’s capacity for unilateral action may be limited by its European Union membership.
In accordance with Israel’s Coordination of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT), five trucks laden baby sustenance and other indispensible provisions crossed into Gaza across the Kerem Shalom border crossing. An additional four United Nations aid trucks were cleared to enter the enclave, with deliveries expected to begin Tuesday. The U.N.’s humanitarian top Tom Fletcher termed the help a “welcome development” but stressed that it was “a drop in the ocean” against to the gauge of need. Prior to the blockade, during the last ceasefire, roughly 600 trucks entered Gaza daily.
The limited aid delivery was accompanied by a surge in Israeli military operations, including new air and ground assaults across Gaza and the evacuation order for Khan Younis, Gaza’s second-largest city. The city had already suffered significant destruction in previous operations during the 19-month conflict. Israel has framed the offensive as necessary pressure on Hamas to release hostages taken during the October 7, 2023, attack that ignited the war. Hamas has insisted it will only release hostages in exchange for a lasting ceasefire and Israeli withdrawal, demands Israel has rejected.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reiterated on Monday Israel’s intent to “take control of all of Gaza.” He defended the decision to resume “minimal” aid deliveries, stating the move was prompted by pressure from Israel’s closest allies, who warned they could no longer support the offensive if images of widespread hunger emerged.
The aid distribution plan involves setting up secured hubs in southern Gaza, controlled by the Israeli military and managed through a U.S.-backed organization. Netanyahu and Israeli officials argue this model is intended to prevent Hamas from diverting aid to consolidate power. However, the plan has faced harsh criticism from the United Nations and humanitarian groups, who have rejected participation, describing it as insufficient and a politicization of aid delivery that violates humanitarian principles. The scheme would also likely force many Gazans—who recently returned to their homes in the north during a ceasefire—to relocate south again, exacerbating displacement concerns.
Netanyahu sharply criticized the joint statement, calling it “a huge prize for the genocidal attack on Israel on October 7,” and insisted that Israel would not bow to “hypocritical” international pressure.
The diplomatic tensions highlight growing fractures even among Israel’s traditional allies. Notably, the Trump administration, which has historically offered staunch support for Israel’s actions and blamed Hamas for civilian deaths in Gaza, has expressed increased concern about the humanitarian situation. President Donald Trump, who notably skipped a visit to Israel during his recent Middle East trip, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio have both voiced unease over the hunger crisis.
Meanwhile, a separate letter from the foreign ministers of Germany, Italy, Japan, and 18 other countries—excluding the United States—called on Israel to fully reopen humanitarian aid deliveries to Gaza, specifically through the United Nations and non-governmental organizations. The letter underscored the urgency of preventing further civilian suffering amid a conflict that has displaced nearly 90% of Gaza’s population, many multiple times.
The war, triggered by the October 7 Hamas attack that killed approximately 1,200 Israelis and abducted 251 others, has escalated into a devastating campaign marked by heavy Palestinian casualties. Gaza’s Health Ministry reports more than 53,000 Palestinians killed—mostly women and children—though it does not differentiate between civilians and combatants in its toll.
As the conflict drags on, Gaza remains under siege, with critical shortages of food, medicine, and fuel. Humanitarian agencies warn that famine is imminent and that the continued military operations risk causing further displacement and loss of life. The world watches as Israel balances military objectives with international demands for humanitarian relief, amid deepening political divisions both inside and outside the region.
After three months of a firm restriction, Tel Aviv allowed the entrance of a tiny number of philanthropic assistance aart into Gaza on Monday, marking a critical but vastly inadequate development in the worsening crisis. The move comes amid mounting pressure from Israel’s allies and growing international condemnation of the ongoing military offensive that has devastated the Palestinian territory and left millions facing starvation and displacement.
The announcement of aid entry was swiftly met with condemnation from key European and North American allies. The UK, France, and Canada delivered a united announcement marking the aid “wholly inadequate” and condemning Israel’s armed activities in Gaza and settlement enlargement in the beleaguered West Bank as “egregious.” The countries threatened “concrete actions,” including sanctions, if Israel failed to alter its course. Canada has already imposed sanctions related to settler violence in the West Bank, while France’s capacity for unilateral action may be limited by its European Union membership.
In accordance with Israel’s Coordination of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT), five trucks laden baby sustenance and other indispensible provisions crossed into Gaza across the Kerem Shalom border crossing. An additional four United Nations aid trucks were cleared to enter the enclave, with deliveries expected to begin Tuesday. The U.N.’s humanitarian top Tom Fletcher termed the help a “welcome development” but stressed that it was “a drop in the ocean” against to the gauge of need. Prior to the blockade, during the last ceasefire, roughly 600 trucks entered Gaza daily.
The limited aid delivery was accompanied by a surge in Israeli military operations, including new air and ground assaults across Gaza and the evacuation order for Khan Younis, Gaza’s second-largest city. The city had already suffered significant destruction in previous operations during the 19-month conflict. Israel has framed the offensive as necessary pressure on Hamas to release hostages taken during the October 7, 2023, attack that ignited the war. Hamas has insisted it will only release hostages in exchange for a lasting ceasefire and Israeli withdrawal, demands Israel has rejected.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reiterated on Monday Israel’s intent to “take control of all of Gaza.” He defended the decision to resume “minimal” aid deliveries, stating the move was prompted by pressure from Israel’s closest allies, who warned they could no longer support the offensive if images of widespread hunger emerged.
The aid distribution plan involves setting up secured hubs in southern Gaza, controlled by the Israeli military and managed through a U.S.-backed organization. Netanyahu and Israeli officials argue this model is intended to prevent Hamas from diverting aid to consolidate power. However, the plan has faced harsh criticism from the United Nations and humanitarian groups, who have rejected participation, describing it as insufficient and a politicization of aid delivery that violates humanitarian principles. The scheme would also likely force many Gazans—who recently returned to their homes in the north during a ceasefire—to relocate south again, exacerbating displacement concerns.
Netanyahu sharply criticized the joint statement, calling it “a huge prize for the genocidal attack on Israel on October 7,” and insisted that Israel would not bow to “hypocritical” international pressure.
The diplomatic tensions highlight growing fractures even among Israel’s traditional allies. Notably, the Trump administration, which has historically offered staunch support for Israel’s actions and blamed Hamas for civilian deaths in Gaza, has expressed increased concern about the humanitarian situation. President Donald Trump, who notably skipped a visit to Israel during his recent Middle East trip, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio have both voiced unease over the hunger crisis.
Meanwhile, a separate letter from the foreign ministers of Germany, Italy, Japan, and 18 other countries—excluding the United States—called on Israel to fully reopen humanitarian aid deliveries to Gaza, specifically through the United Nations and non-governmental organizations. The letter underscored the urgency of preventing further civilian suffering amid a conflict that has displaced nearly 90% of Gaza’s population, many multiple times.
The war, triggered by the October 7 Hamas attack that killed approximately 1,200 Israelis and abducted 251 others, has escalated into a devastating campaign marked by heavy Palestinian casualties. Gaza’s Health Ministry reports more than 53,000 Palestinians killed—mostly women and children—though it does not differentiate between civilians and combatants in its toll.
As the conflict drags on, Gaza remains under siege, with critical shortages of food, medicine, and fuel. Humanitarian agencies warn that famine is imminent and that the continued military operations risk causing further displacement and loss of life. The world watches as Israel balances military objectives with international demands for humanitarian relief, amid deepening political divisions both inside and outside the region.
