UN calls for scaling up supplies as five aid trucks allowed into Gaza

IANS May 20, 2025 264 views

The United Nations has urgently called for increased humanitarian aid to Gaza after Israel allowed just five trucks to enter the war-torn region. UN officials described the aid as woefully inadequate, with Tom Fletcher emphasizing the critical need for significantly more supplies to prevent a humanitarian catastrophe. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu authorized the limited aid entry to avoid "images of mass starvation" amid international pressure. The development comes as Israel continues its military campaign, with ongoing strikes and strategic objectives to control key areas of Gaza.

"A drop in the ocean" - Tom Fletcher, UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs
Jerusalem, May 20: Five UN aid trucks entered war-torn Gaza, a unit under Israel's Defence Ministry said, a day after Israel agreed to lift over two months of blockade and allow limited relief into the enclave -- a step the UN considered far from adequate to meet dire humanitarian needs in Gaza.

Key Points

1

UN demands scaling up aid to prevent mass starvation

2

Netanyahu allows minimal humanitarian supplies

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Hamas requires 500 trucks daily for basic needs

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Israeli military launches new Gaza campaign

The trucks loaded with aid, including baby formula, passed through the Kerem Shalom border crossing after undergoing security inspections, according to the office of the Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT), an official Israeli unit responsible for civilian affairs in the occupied Palestinian territories.

"The IDF (Israel Defense Forces) will continue to facilitate humanitarian assistance in Gaza while making every effort to ensure the aid does not fall into Hamas' hands," COGAT said in a post on social media platform X.

However, UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator Tom Fletcher said on X that the trucks were "a drop in the ocean," stressing the aid "must reach the civilians who need it so urgently, and we must be allowed to scale up."

Earlier on Monday, Hamas' media office said that to avert a full-scale humanitarian crisis in Gaza, the entry of 500 aid trucks is required at a daily minimum. In addition, the enclave needs 50 fuel trucks per day to operate bakeries, hospitals, and water and sewage stations, which have shut down due to the Israeli blockade since March 2, Xinhua news agency reported.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Sunday that Israel would allow the entry of a "minimal and basic" quantity of aid into Gaza to prevent "images of mass starvation." The decision comes amid a recommendation by the Israeli military, pressure from Israel's close allies, and increasing international criticism over the severe humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

The aid entered as Israel launched its new military campaign, dubbed Gideon's Chariots, over the weekend. Israeli officials said the campaign's objectives include seizing key parts of Gaza, pushing a majority of its population further south, and resuming humanitarian aid distribution under stricter Israeli oversight.

The Israeli military announced on Monday that it had struck 160 locations across Gaza in the past hours, targeting militants, anti-tank missile launchers, military infrastructure, and a weapons depot. It also reported dismantling a tunnel in southern Gaza and hitting a structure in Nuseirat, central Gaza, which it said has served as a Hamas command and control centre.

At least 136 people were killed by Israeli strikes over the past day, bringing the overall death toll since the war began on October 7, 2023, to 53,475, the Gaza-based health authorities reported on Monday.

Reader Comments

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Rahul K.
While humanitarian aid is essential, Israel has legitimate security concerns. We've seen how aid can be misused in our own neighborhood (looking at Pakistan). The UN must ensure proper monitoring mechanisms are in place. 5 trucks is too little, but 500 without checks is risky.
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Priya M.
Heartbreaking to see innocent civilians suffer 😔 India should take a stronger stand at UN for immediate ceasefire and scaled-up aid. We know the pain of partition - no child should starve because of political conflicts. #HumanityFirst
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Arjun S.
Complex situation. On one hand, Israel has right to defend itself after Oct 7 attacks. On other hand, collective punishment isn't solution. India's balanced approach makes sense - we support Palestine cause but also have strong ties with Israel. Hope diplomacy prevails.
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Sunita R.
Why isn't Egypt opening its border more? They share direct border with Gaza but put all responsibility on Israel. As Indians we know how neighbors can complicate matters (looking at China-Pakistan). All regional players must step up, not just one country.
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Vikram J.
India should offer to mediate - we have good relations with both Arab world and Israel. Our experience in Kashmir shows military solutions alone don't work long-term. Meanwhile, baby formula reaching those in need is at least some positive news amidst this tragedy.

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Tags:
Gaza Humanitarian Crisis UN Aid Benjamin Netanyahu Israel-Hamas Conflict Humanitarian Emergency