GAZA, January 20th (AMSP/CGTN) – – The first humanitarian aid trucks entered the Gaza Strip on Sunday, as the Israel-Hamas ceasefire took effect.
The ceasefire follows months of intense conflict, which has claimed the lives of over 40,000 Palestinians.
The 42-day first stage of the ceasefire deal which was reached on Wednesday through the mediation of Egypt, Qatar, and the United States started taking effect on Sunday after Hamas provided a list of the three Israeli female captives who have already returned to Israel and reunited with their families. And approximately 1,900 Palestinian prisoners will also be freed during this period.
In addition, about 600 trucks loaded with humanitarian aid, including fuel supplies, would enter Gaza every day to ease the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
In addition to the urgently needed fuel, the trucks were also loaded with life necessities including tents, blankets, prebuilt temporary homes, food, and medicine.
The number of aid trucks will gradually increase from 600 to 800 each day. Of these, 500 trucks will remain in the southern part of the Gaza Strip, while the remaining 300 will proceed northward toward Gaza City and other areas. Besides, aid supplies to northern Gaza will also continue to beef up, once displaced residents begin to return.
Seeing those trucks entering Gaza, many residents expressed their gratitude for the arrival of aid supplies, while noting the current levels of aid are still insufficient to meet the immense needs after the prolonged hardship.
“The trucks entering Gaza today are far from enough. Even if there were 2,000 trucks, they are not enough for the entire Gaza Strip, given the suffering the people of Gaza have endured for over a year. The Palestinian people have experienced a true catastrophe. We hope all the Arab countries and the international community can help us with support to tide over this difficult time,” said Ahamed Abu Al-Khair, a resident.
“We cannot endure any more. We are grateful for the help from many people, but our biggest wish is for the ceasefire to continue, so we can return to our homes. We still need a large number of tents to live in. Our houses have been destroyed, and without tents, we still remain homeless,” said Ahamed Hamdan, other resident.
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