Two fuel trucks enter Gaza for the first time in 5 months

Two trucks loaded with 107 tons of fuel entered the Gaza Strip today, Sunday, August 3, through the Rafah crossing, for the first time in five months, while dozens of trucks loaded with humanitarian aid are waiting for their turn to enter.

Media outlets reported that the crossing witnessed the entry of the two trucks this morning, while dozens of trucks belonging to relief agencies, including the Egyptian Red Crescent and the United Nations, lined up in preparation for their passage into the besieged territory.

The Ministry of Health in Gaza has repeatedly warned that the fuel shortage is disrupting hospital operations, forcing doctors to "prioritize services in some facilities." The entry of this quantity came after a severe shortage in fuel supplies since March, when Israel imposed strict restrictions on the entry of aid, as part of what it described as "pressure on Hamas to release the remaining hostages since the October 2023 attack."

The humanitarian crisis in Gaza has worsened, with the Ministry of Health announcing "seven additional deaths, including a child, due to malnutrition since Friday," bringing the number of famine victims to dozens in recent weeks.

For its part, United Nations agencies confirmed that air drops of food aid are "insufficient," calling on Israel to "allow more trucks to enter by land and facilitate their rapid access." The Israeli government's coordination unit (COGAT) revealed that only "35 aid trucks have entered since June, most of them in July," compared to over 700 fuel trucks that entered during January and February before the resumption of the war.

In a related context, medical sources reported "the killing of 62 Palestinians within 24 hours due to Israeli shelling," while displaced people in northern Gaza are facing severe difficulties in obtaining food and keeping their children alive.

In the context of the international debate over aid, statements from U.S. President Donald Trump varied, as he confirmed that the United States provided "60 million dollars to Gaza," while the U.S. State Department denied this, indicating that the allocated amount is "only 30 million dollars, of which 10% (3 million) has been disbursed to the (Gaza Humanitarian) Foundation (GHF)," according to a report by the Washington Post.

The foundation, which is supported by the U.S. and Israel, pointed out "obstacles facing the expansion of its operations in Gaza without adequate funding and Israeli approval to open new distribution centers."

Amid international criticism of the Israeli restrictions, which accompanied reports of "civilian casualties near GHF distribution sites," many countries have called for the suspension of the foundation's work in favor of international relief channels. However, the U.S. administration renewed its preference for "GHF as a key partner, instead of the United Nations or other organizations."