UN sends aid trucks into Gaza, under blockade by Israel

Israeli troops earlier fired 'warning shots' near foreign diplomats visiting West Bank

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over Israel's renewed offensive and blockade of the war-ravaged Palestinian territory. The first aid distribution in Gaza since early March came as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he was open to a "temporary ceasefire", but reaffirmed the military's aim to bring the entire territory under its control.

Three days after Israel announced it would allow in limited aid, the UN "collected around 90 truckloads of goods from the Kerem Shalom crossing and dispatched them into Gaza", said Mr Stephane Dujarric, spokesman for UN chief Antonio Guterres.

The development came hours after Israeli troops fired what the military called "warning shots" near a delegation of foreign diplomats visiting the occupied West Bank, triggering global condemnation.

In Gaza, the Hamas government media office reported the arrival of 87 aid trucks, which it said were allocated to international and local organisations to meet "urgent humanitarian needs".

Mr Netanyahu also said it was necessary to "avoid a humanitarian crisis in order to preserve our freedom of operational action" in Gaza.

Palestinians have been scrambling for basic supplies after weeks of near-total isolation, with Israel's blockade leading to critical food and medicine shortages.