'20 trucks a day are not enough' for Gaza: UN

By Beyza Binnur Donmez

GENEVA (AA) – The World Food Programme (WFP) on Friday urged the continuation of humanitarian supplies at a scale that matches needs, saying: "20 trucks a day are not enough."

Noting that humanitarian convoys have been "trickling" into Gaza since Oct. 21, Samer AbdelJaber, WFP's country director for Palestine, said their scale and frequency are "nowhere near enough to alleviate the suffering of the people."

Addressing a UN press briefing in Geneva virtually, he said WFP has brought in nine trucks of food assistance today, mainly canned food with flour and other essentials, stressing that it does not make even 2% of the food needed.

Regarding the lack of fuel, he warned that without fuel "there will be no hospitals running, no bakeries making bread, and no water supplies."

"We call for the protection of civilians and essential services," he said. “Places that provide people with basic humanitarian services like medical care, food, and water should be protected.”

The conflict in Gaza began when the Palestinian group Hamas initiated Operation Al-Aqsa Flood – a multi-pronged surprise attack on Oct. 7 that included a barrage of rocket launches and infiltrations into Israel by land, sea, and air.

Hamas said the incursion was in retaliation for the storming of the Al-Aqsa Mosque and growing violence by Israeli settlers against Palestinians.

The Israeli military then launched a relentless bombardment of Hamas targets in the Gaza Strip.

Nearly 8,500 people have been killed in the conflict, including at least 7,028 Palestinians and 1,400 Israelis.