By Al-Fassel and AFP | 2023-10-24

Since an agreement to allow aid into Gaza was struck on Saturday (October 21), dozens of aid trucks have cleared the Rafah crossing, reaching a populace in dire need of food, water and medical supplies.

A third convoy of humanitarian aid trucks entered Gaza on Monday.

UN aid chief Martin Griffiths has called the deliveries into Gaza a "small glimmer of hope" but warned its people would "need more, much more."

Planeloads of aid have been landing for days in the Egyptian town of al-Arish, about 40km from the Rafah border crossing.

The United States has vowed a continued flow of aid under a deal brokered by US President Joe Biden with Egyptian and Israeli leaders.

But the deal came with strict conditions from Israel. Aid must go only to civilians and not fall into the hands of Hamas militants.

US officials were quick to describe the first trucks as a test balloon, with no guarantee of future deliveries if Hamas interfered.

"If Hamas diverts or steals the assistance, they will have demonstrated once again that they have no concern for the welfare of the Palestinian people," Biden said, speaking aboard Air Force One as he departed Israel on Wednesday.

"As a practical matter, it will stop the international community from being able to provide this aid."

Under the deal, aid should be distributed only in the south of the Gaza strip, where Israel has ordered civilians to evacuate.

The United States also on October 15 named a special envoy to spearhead humanitarian relief into Gaza, David Satterfield, who started a new job the following day coordinating humanitarian aid.

$100 million pledge to Palestinians

Biden on Wednesday announced that the United States is providing $100 million in humanitarian assistance for the Palestinian people in Gaza and the West Bank.

The aid, provided through trusted partners including the United Nations (UN), will help support over a million displaced and conflict-affected people with clean water, food, hygiene support, medical care and other essential needs, he said.

"Civilians are not to blame and should not suffer for Hamas's horrific terrorism," the White House said in a statement. "Civilian lives must be protected and assistance must urgently reach those in need."

"We will continue to work closely with partners in the region to stress the importance of upholding the law of war, supporting those who are trying to get to safety or provide assistance, and facilitating access to food, water, medical care and shelter," the statement said.

The UN World Food Program, which has provided aid to 522,000 people since the start of the hostilities, said it has 951 tons of food at or on the way to Rafah -- enough to feed 488,000 people for one week, a spokesperson said last week.

While food, water and fuel are the priority, UNICEF has slipped boxes of educational game kits into aid shipments, because children need to continue "playing and learning even during emergencies," she said.

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock on October 19 announced €50 million ($53 million) in aid for civilians in Gaza, and said Germany also was preparing to send medical teams into the Gaza strip.

"It is important to me to make clear to Palestinians that we also recognize their suffering," Baerbock said before starting a tour of the Middle East. The humanitarian situation in Gaza was "catastrophic," she said.

She said she would also "use the trip to speak with all those who have channels to Hamas" to discuss how to secure the release of hostages held by the group.

The United Kingdom on Monday also announced an additional £20 million ($24 million) of aid for Gaza.

The announcement brings the amount pledged to Palestinian territories by the United Kingdom since Hamas's attack on Israel earlier this month to £30 million, after £10 million was made available last week.