Israel and Hamas trade accusations over ceasefire as aid falls short

Aid is still critically scarce in Gaza one week into the ceasefire, humanitarian agencies have warned, as Israel delays the entry of food convoys into the territory. The Israeli government and Hamas continue to trade blame over violations of the truce.

- Lorenzo Tondo Jerusalem Patrick Wintour

The UN World Food Programme (WFP) said yesterday it had brought about 560 tonnes of food a day on average into Gaza since the ceasefire began, but it was still below what was needed.

Its spokesperson, Abeer Etefa, said: “We’re still below what we need, but we're getting there ... The ceasefire has opened a narrow window of opportunity, and WFP is moving very quickly and swiftly to scale up food assistance.”

Aid trucks have been lined up at the Kissufim crossing between Israel and Gaza since the early hours. It is one of the few entry points where lorries load supplies on the Israeli side before heading back into Gaza.

Drivers often wait for hours for clearance to pass. Although 600 trucks are meant to enter Gaza each day, fewer than half that number make it through, and even that target falls short of the vast needs on the ground. Stringent restrictions on what can be transported mean that some convoys are forced to turn back.

During the war, Israel shut down entry and exit routes, largely blocking off food and medicine, which in turn caused a famine in parts of Gaza.