Israel Says 120 Aid Trucks Entered Gaza on First Day of Pause

Israel announced Monday that more than 120 truckloads of humanitarian aid were successfully distributed across the Gaza Strip by the United Nations and other international organizations, marking the start of a limited operational pause aimed at easing the delivery of food and supplies to the besieged enclave.

Aid Access Expanded Amid Temporary Halt in Hostilities

The distribution followed Israel’s Sunday declaration of a “tactical pause” in fighting across parts of Gaza, during which secure corridors were promised for aid convoys. Israeli authorities urged humanitarian organizations to seize the opportunity to increase the flow of desperately needed food and essentials to the region.

According to COGAT—the Israeli defense body that manages civil operations in Palestinian territories—“over 120 trucks were collected and distributed yesterday by the U.N. and international organizations.” The agency also reported that 180 additional trucks crossed into Gaza and were currently awaiting pickup, along with several hundred others queued up for U.N. collection.

Israel, along with Jordan and the United Arab Emirates, has also contributed to humanitarian relief via air-dropped supplies, though those deliveries have been limited in scale compared to land-based transport.

Humanitarian Needs Continue to Outpace Supply

Gaza, home to over two million Palestinians, has seen its humanitarian crisis deepen sharply since the escalation of the long-running conflict between Israel and Hamas—now in its 21st month. Prior to the hostilities, the territory relied on an average of 500 trucks daily to meet basic commercial and humanitarian needs.

In recent weeks, U.N. agencies have sounded the alarm over the risk of widespread famine, citing severely disrupted supply lines and a lack of safe access for aid workers. Global pressure has intensified, with international leaders and rights groups calling for a full ceasefire to allow large-scale relief operations.

Accusations and Defense Over Distribution Gaps

The Israeli government, led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, has strongly rejected accusations that it is intentionally obstructing aid, insisting that “hunger is not being used as a weapon”. Officials instead point the finger at U.N. agencies, claiming logistical failures in retrieving and distributing the supplies that have already been delivered to crossing points.

In a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter), COGAT emphasized that the pace of humanitarian aid reaching civilians ultimately depends on the efficiency of aid organizations. “More consistent collection and distribution by U.N. agencies and international organizations equals more aid reaching those who need it most in Gaza,” the agency said.

A Fragile Window

While the tactical pause is a step toward addressing Gaza’s mounting humanitarian catastrophe, it remains unclear how long the lull will last or whether it will be expanded. For now, the international community is watching closely to see whether increased aid access can meaningfully alleviate suffering—or if deeper political and logistical challenges will continue to hinder relief efforts.