TEL AVIV: Humanitarian aid has reached Gaza for the first time amidst the war which has been going on between Israel and Hamas for three weeks. Twenty trucks carrying medicine and food crossed the border as the Rafah Corridor from Egypt to Gaza opened yesterday. The trucks were allowed to cross the border after a strict inspection by Israel.

The distribution of medicines and food is led by the United Nations and the Red Crescent (instead of the Red Cross). These vehicles had been waiting for weeks in the Sinai region, which is the border of Egypt. Meanwhile, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi reiterated that refugees from Gaza will not be received and they will not be allowed to enter Egypt through Rafah. Thousands are waiting at the border to enter Egypt. However, the border will always be open for vehicles carrying humanitarian aid to go to Gaza.

Four ambulances and two vehicles each from the UN and the Red Crescent arrived in Gaza along with the trucks. 36 empty trailers from Gaza went to Egypt to bring more food and other supplies. It is not clear how many trucks will be allowed to cross the border each day in the coming days as the Israeli team is carrying out checks to make sure the aid does not go to Hamas.

It is reported that the US and European countries are putting pressure on Israel to delay the ground attack since talks are continuing with Hamas with the mediation of Qatar for the release of the hostages. Firing between Hezbollah and Israel continued yesterday on the Lebanese border. Israel has warned its citizens in Egypt and Jordan to leave the countries immediately. The UN agency for Palestinian refugees said 17 of its staff members have been killed so far in Gaza during the conflict.