The United Nations has warned that aid reaching Gaza is only a fraction of what is required to avert mass starvation, even as Israel eased restrictions over the weekend to allow more food and medicine into the enclave after nearly two years of war.
On Sunday, 120 trucks of supplies crossed into Gaza, with at least as many expected on Monday, but UNRWA, the U.N. agency for Palestinian refugees, said that was still far from the 500–600 trucks per day needed to meet basic needs. Before the conflict began, that level of daily deliveries was standard.
“Opening all the crossings and flooding Gaza with assistance is the only way to avert further deepening of starvation,” UNRWA said, warning that “1 in every 5 children is malnourished in Gaza City” and that more than 100 children have now died of hunger.
Israel has also permitted humanitarian air drops, with pallets of food parachuted in by Israel, Jordan and the UAE, but aid workers warn the method is dangerous and cannot replace trucks, which carry far larger loads. Videos over the weekend showed desperate Palestinians pulling flour off moving trucks in what charities are now calling “self-distribution.”
The Israeli military announced “humanitarian pauses” to allow convoys to move safely through heavily populated areas from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily, though strikes continued Monday, killing at least 50 people, according to Gaza health officials. Among those killed was a pregnant woman; doctors delivered her newborn in an emergency operation, saving the child’s life.
U.S. President Donald Trump, speaking Monday alongside British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, said Washington would expand its role in getting food to Gaza.
“We are gonna spend a little money on some food, other nations are joining us,” Trump said. “We’re going to set up food centres where people can walk in with no boundaries or fences. Some of those kids are starving — that’s real starvation stuff, you can’t fake that. So we are going to be even more involved.”
He added that the U.S. would coordinate efforts with allies, noting the urgency of establishing secure routes so aid can reach those in need.
Despite the weekend’s convoys, many Palestinians say they have yet to see any of the food or medicine promised. UNRWA said thousands of loaded trucks are still stuck in Jordan and Egypt waiting for approval to enter.