Limited humanitarian aid resumes as Gaza war enters new phase

On Monday five trucks carrying humanitarian aid entered the Gaza Strip via the Kerem Shalom crossing. These were the first trucks to enter Gaza since the crossings were closed at the end of the ceasefire in early March.

The aid convoy came the day after the IDF announced the start of a new "extensive ground operation" in Gaza.

Israel's Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu said authorities would allow a "basic amount of food" for the population. The move followed mounting international condemnation over Israel’s blockade of Gaza, which the government insisted was necessary to pressure Hamas into releasing the remaining Israeli hostages taken during the deadly 7 October attacks. Netanyahu acknowledged that even Israel’s strongest allies, particularly in the United States, could not tolerate the ongoing blockade.

The end of the blockade came in response to international pressure but the limited resumption has not reduced international concern.

Twenty-three countries, including Australia, have signed a statement demanding the full resumption of humanitarian aid and accusing Israel of politicising the delivery of essential food and medicine to Palestinian civilians..

US pressue has included a decision by Vice President JD Vance against visiting Israel this week, which follows President Trump skipping Israel on his Middle East tour last week.