Palestinian Red Crescent says 26 aid trucks cross into Gaza

RAMALLAH, Palestine

The Palestinian Red Crescent Society on Monday said another 26 aid trucks entered into the Gaza Strip through the Rafah border crossing.

"We have received this evening 26 [aid] trucks from the Egyptian Red Crescent Society via the Rafah crossing, containing food items and medical supplies," the humanitarian organization said in a statement.

A total of 144 trucks with aid supplies excluding fuel have arrived in the Gaza Strip since the start of the war more than three weeks ago, it added.

The UN says before the latest conflict an average of 500 trucks entered the territory every day. But all stopped after the breakout of the fighting in Gaza on Oct. 7, leaving Gaza with severe shortage of food, water and medicines.

According to UN projections, at least 100 truckloads are needed every day to supply the 2.3 million people who live in the Gaza Strip with basic necessities.

The Israeli army widened its air and ground attacks on the Gaza Strip over the weekend, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu saying "we have set the clear goal of destroying Hamas' military and governing capabilities."

*Writing by Ahmed Asmar