A limited number of aid trucks have finally managed to enter the besieged Gaza Strip through the Rafah crossing from Egypt, after being forced into a holding pattern since the end of a weeklong truce and the resumption of Israeli bombings. The Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS) confirmed that on Saturday, it received 50 aid trucks from its partners in the Egyptian Red Crescent, containing crucial supplies such as food, water, relief assistance, medical supplies, and medicine.

Since Friday, when the Israeli military restarted its bombings in Gaza, no aid convoys or fuel deliveries had been able to enter the region. Prior to the truce that came into effect eight days ago, fewer than 100 trucks were passing into Gaza daily. However, during the truce, approximately 200 trucks were able to enter each day. This is a stark contrast to the 500 trucks of aid that used to enter Gaza daily before the conflict began on October 7, according to the United Nations.

The main obstacle preventing the aid trucks from entering Gaza is the Israeli checkpoint established since October 21, as part of a system aimed at vetting every truck to ensure humanitarian assistance does not reach Hamas. This system requires drivers to take a round trip of over 80km (50 miles) from Rafah to a crossing on Egypt's border with Israel and back, leading to significant bottlenecks. The trucks are thoroughly scanned and searched at the crossing, even for items as small as kitchen knives.

Hisham Mhanna from the International Committee of the Red Cross highlighted the challenges faced by aid agencies amidst the ongoing fighting in Gaza. Calling for a complete ceasefire, he emphasized the need for political efforts to prevent a collapse of the humanitarian sector in Gaza and alleviate the suffering of civilians.

The UN has been urging Israel to open the Karem Abu Salem (Kerem Shalom) crossing near Rafah, which used to handle large quantities of goods before the conflict. However, Israel has refused to do so, resulting in a halt of humanitarian operations within Gaza. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) stated in its latest report on Saturday that only services within shelters and limited distributions of flour in southern areas of Wadi Gaza were being provided. The evacuation of wounded individuals and the return of Gazans stranded in Egypt have also been halted.

According to the Ministry of Health, the number of Palestinians killed by Israeli attacks in Gaza has risen to 15,207, with a majority being women and children, since the conflict began on October 7. More than 40,000 people have been injured, and the lack of treatment options in Gaza hospitals is expected to lead to more deaths in the coming days.

While the entry of 50 aid trucks is a positive development, it falls significantly short of meeting the urgent needs of Gaza's civilians. Efforts for a complete ceasefire and increased humanitarian assistance are crucial to prevent further suffering in the region.