The United Nations dispatched about 90 trucks carrying aid into Gaza on Wednesday. This marked the first delivery since early March. Meanwhile, international pressure on Israel increased due to its ongoing offensive and blockade of the Palestinian territory.
Netanyahu Open to Temporary Ceasefire
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he is open to a “temporary ceasefire.” However, he stressed that the military aims to bring all of Gaza under its control.
Aid Reaches Gaza After Delay
Three days after Israel agreed to allow limited aid, the UN collected 90 truckloads from the Kerem Shalom crossing and sent them into Gaza. Stephane Dujarric, spokesperson for UN chief Antonio Guterres, confirmed this.
This happened hours after Israeli troops fired warning shots near a delegation of foreign diplomats in the West Bank, which sparked worldwide condemnation.
Despite the aid, Israel kept bombing Gaza. The health ministry reported that 82 bodies arrived at hospitals in the past 24 hours.
93 UN aid trucks entered Gaza via Kerem Shalom 🇮🇱 Tuesday, carrying baby food, medical equipment, and pharmaceutical drugs.
— David Saranga (@DavidSaranga) May 20, 2025
Israel will continue to facilitate humanitarian assistance while working to prevent it from reaching the Hamas terror group.
pic.twitter.com/yYSSryaSAz
Life in Gaza Remains Harsh
Umm Talal al-Masri, a displaced resident in Gaza City, described the situation as “unbearable.” She said, “No one is distributing anything to us. Everyone is waiting for aid, but we haven’t received anything. We barely manage to prepare one meal a day.”
Humanitarian groups warned that the aid entering Gaza is far below what is needed to ease the crisis.
New Aid Group Plans Delivery
A US-backed group, the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), announced it will start moving aid soon. However, the UN and traditional agencies refused to cooperate with the GHF, accusing it of working with Israel.
The GHF plans to distribute 300 million meals in its first 90 days.
Israel increased its military actions over the weekend, aiming to defeat Hamas. Hamas’s October 7, 2023 attack on Israel sparked the war.
Pressure Mounts on Israel
Israel faces growing pressure from allies to stop its offensive and allow more aid. The European Union agreed to review its cooperation deal with Israel, including trade relations.
However, Israel’s foreign ministry said the EU “does not understand the complex reality” Israel faces.
Meanwhile, Sweden wants the EU to impose sanctions on Israeli ministers. Britain suspended free-trade talks and summoned the Israeli ambassador.
Global Leaders Call for Aid
Pope Leo XIV called the Gaza situation “worrying and painful.” He urged for “the entry of sufficient humanitarian aid.” Germany defended the EU-Israel deal as “an important forum” to discuss critical issues about Gaza.
Casualties and Hostages Update
Israel resumed strikes on Gaza on March 18, ending a two-month ceasefire. Hamas’s October 7 attack killed 1,218 people in Israel, mostly civilians. Militants took 251 hostages, with 57 still in Gaza. The Israeli military said 34 hostages are dead.
Netanyahu said Israel could accept a temporary ceasefire to free hostages. He noted about 20 hostages held by Hamas remain alive. Gaza’s health ministry reported 3,509 deaths since March 18. The war’s overall death toll is 53,655, mostly civilians.
Fighting Continues in Lebanon
In Lebanon, Israeli strikes killed three people on Wednesday. Israel said it targeted Hezbollah in southern Lebanon, despite a ceasefire with the Iran-backed group.