Israel has allowed the first few trucks of humanitarian aid into Gaza after nearly three months of a complete blockade.
This move follows Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s recent announcement that Israel will permit a limited amount of food to enter Gaza to prevent famine, ending a full blockade on humanitarian aid that had been in place since March 2.
Eden Bar Tal, director general of Israel’s Foreign Ministry, confirmed that baby food had begun entering Gaza but provided no specifics on the total amount, timing, or entry points.
“Today, Israel is facilitating the entry of trucks with baby food into Gaza,” Bar Tal told reporters. “In the coming days, Israel will facilitate the entry of dozens of aid trucks.”
According to the United Nations (U.N.), nine trucks crossed into Gaza on Monday via the Kerem Shalom crossing.
Israeli authorities have temporarily allowed us to deliver limited aid to Gaza after 11 weeks of blockade.
A drop in the ocean. It must reach the civilians who need it so urgently, and we must be allowed to scale up.
We are determined to save as many lives as we can. pic.twitter.com/Ai5m9cawqt
— Tom Fletcher (@UNReliefChief) May 19, 2025
In a post on X, U.N. aid chief Tom Fletcher welcomed the move but emphasized that it is “a drop in the ocean of what is urgently needed.”
To expedite aid delivery and prevent looting, the U.N. urged Israel to open at least two additional crossings into Gaza and streamline the procedures. The organization also called on Israel to refrain from conducting attacks during aid delivery times.
During a ceasefire earlier this year, around 600 aid trucks entered Gaza each day. The U.N. has called for the resumption of the ceasefire to ensure a regular flow of aid to those in need.
“We call again for the protection of civilians. We need a resumption of the ceasefire. Hostages must be released immediately and unconditionally,” Fletcher said.
Over 20 donor countries, including Germany, Japan, and Sweden, also urged Israel to fully resume aid deliveries. Their statement said Gaza’s population “faces starvation” and needs help immediately.
