Over 550 trucks bring aid to Gaza as ceasefire takes effect

More than 550 humanitarian aid trucks entered the Gaza Strip on Sunday, marking the first day of the ceasefire agreement.

The trucks passed through the Rafah crossing, delivering critical supplies to the region, Caliber.Az reports, referencing Turkish media.

"Since Sunday morning, 552 humanitarian aid trucks have entered the Strip through the crossings, including 242 for the northern part of the Strip,” a source in the Gaza Ministry of Interior said. 

The aid shipments included fuel, medical supplies, foodstuffs, as well as vegetables and fruits. Efforts are underway to facilitate the entry of more humanitarian aid to address the growing needs of Gaza's population.

In a separate development, Al-Qahera News Channel reported that 330 aid trucks, including 20 fuel trucks, crossed through Israeli-controlled crossings in Al-Auja and Kerem Shalom in the southern part of Gaza.

On January 19, 2025, a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas took effect, ending a 15-month conflict that resulted in significant loss of life and destruction. The agreement, which was brokered by the United States, Qatar, and Egypt, involves the release of 33 Israeli hostages over six weeks in the first phase. In exchange, Israel has released 90 Palestinian prisoners. The ceasefire also allows for the entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza, providing much-needed relief to the population. The agreement includes a broader prisoner exchange, with Hamas committed to releasing additional hostages and Israel agreeing to free more Palestinian detainees.  

The conflict, which began on October 7, 2023, has caused immense suffering. Local health authorities report that nearly 47,000 people have been killed, predominantly women and children, and over 110,700 others have been injured. More than 11,000 people are still missing, while widespread destruction has led to one of the worst global humanitarian disasters ever.

In November 2024, the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, accusing them of war crimes and crimes against humanity in relation to the Gaza conflict. The charges include using starvation as a method of warfare and directing attacks against civilians in Gaza, depriving them of essential supplies such as food, water, and medicine.

By Khagan Isayev