First convoy of aid reaches Gaza as Egypt opens border

The border crossing between Egypt and Gaza opened on Saturday to let a trickle of desperately needed aid into the besieged Palestinian territory for the first time since Israel sealed it off following Hamas' bloody rampage two weeks ago.

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Just 20 trucks were allowed in, an amount aid workers said was insufficient to address the unprecedented humanitarian crisis. More than 200 trucks carrying 3,000 tons of aid have been waiting nearby for days.

Gaza's 2.3 million Palestinians, half of whom have fled their homes, are rationing food and drinking dirty water. Hospitals say they are running low on medical supplies and fuel for emergency generators amid a territory-wide power blackout.

Five hospitals have stopped functioning because of fuel shortages and bombing damage, the Hamas-run health ministry said.

Israel is still launching waves of airstrikes across Gaza as Hamas militants fire rockets into Israel.

The opening came after more than a week of high-level diplomacy, including visits to the region by US President Joe Biden and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. Israel had insisted nothing would enter Gaza until Hamas released all the captives from its October 7 attack on towns in southern Israel.

Late Friday, Hamas freed its first captives an American woman and her teenage daughter. It was not immediately clear if there was a connection between the release and the aid deliveries. Israel says Hamas is still holding at least 210 hostages.