HUMANITARIAN aid has begun to flow into Gaza as the border crossing with Egypt finally opened – as fears of an Israeli invasion to destroy the Hamas terrorist group continue to loom.
Pictures showed large trucks packed with supplies crossing the border to provide a “lifeline” for the some two million people in the enclave which is enduring bombardment by Israeli forces.
GettyAid trucks were allowed through the Rafah crossing for the first time today[/caption]
AFPAid has continued to flow in through the Rafah crossing[/caption]
Israeli tanks are surrounding the Gaza borderEPA
GettyGaza has been reduced to rubble[/caption]
Hamas is known to use the suffering residents of the tiny region as human shields – with more than 4,100 dying since strikes began on Gaza.
Israel is expected to unleash hundreds of thousands of troops and huge columns of tanks in the coming days as they attempt to flush out the terrorist group after they massacred 1,400 civilians on October 7.
But – world leaders, including Rishi Sunak, have warned the situation risks becoming a humanitarian disaster and have urged Israel to show restraint as the crisis worsens.
Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said today the move could not be a “one-off” event and will continue to push for further humanitarian aide in besieged Gaza.
The Gaza Strip has been bombarded by Israel after its Hamas rulers launched a series of terrorist raids on October 7.
But the Rafah border crossing with Egypt was opened earlier this morning, providing desperately needed help for the millions of Palestinians running short of food, medicine and water.
Cleverly, who was visiting Egypt on Saturday for the Cairo Peace Summit, said: “Trucks carrying lifesaving aid are beginning to cross at Rafah into Gaza. This aid is a lifeline for those suffering.
“But it cannot be a one-off. The UK continues to push for humanitarian access to Gaza.”
Gaza’s 2.3 million residents, half of whom have fled their homes, have been forced to ration food and drink filthy water.
Hospitals are running low on medical supplies and fuel for emergency generators amid a territory-wide power blackout due to air strikes.
In the two weeks of chaos, more than 1,400 people in Israel have been killed and more than 4,100 people have died in Gaza.
Cleverly said he will use the Cairo summit to emphasise the UK’s call to prevent the Israel-Hamas conflict spiralling into a wider Middle East war.
More than 200 trucks carrying roughly 3,000 tons of materials were waiting nearby the crossing for days before heading into Gaza.
On the Gaza side of the border, hundreds of foreign passport-holders have been trying to leave the besieged territory.
The opening of the Rafah comes hours after Americans Judith Raanan and her 17-year-old daughter Natalie were released after being held hostage for two weeks.
A photo released last night showed the moment they were escorted back across the border by troops.
The pair’s release comes as tens of thousands of Israeli soldiers wait on the Gaza Strip border after their defence boss vowed they would soon see “inside” as a ground invasion looms.
Israeli defence chief Yoav Gallant told Isareli soldiers: “There is no forgiveness for this thing. Only total annihilation of Hamas organisation, terror infrastructures, everything that has to do with terrorists and whoever sent them.
“It will take a week, it will take a month, it will take two months, until we eliminate them.”
Gallant’s words came as Economy Minister Nir Barakat told ABC News the Israeli military has been given the “green light” to move into Gaza whenever it’s ready.
AFPEntire areas of Gaza have been flattened[/caption]
GettyThousands have died in the bombardments[/caption]
The Israeli defence minister has hinted its ground invasion will begin soonGetty
EPAStrikes have continued nonstop for two weeks[/caption]
APAid trucks have been lined up near the border for days[/caption]
EPABut Gaza has continued to be struck with rockets and missiles[/caption]