Israel opens corridors for UN humanitarian aid in Gaza, begins aid drops
While appearing to buckle to international condemnation of starvation taking hold across the war-ravaged territory, Israeli authorities continue to deny there is any hunger crisis gripping Gaza.
Health authorities in Gaza have reported 123 people have died of starvation and malnutrition, with Israeli restrictions on aid remaining in place.
Last week more than 100 humanitarian agencies sounded the alarm that mass starvation was spreading, and the World Health Organization (WHO) labelled it a man-made crisis.
In a statement published late on Saturday night local time, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said the airdrops would consist of seven pallets carrying supplies such as flour, sugar and canned food.
The Reuters news agency said the airdrops had begun around the time of the public announcement.
The IDF also said, after a directive from the Netanyahu government, it was prepared to "implement humanitarian pauses in densely populated areas", but insisted it would continue to target claimed Hamas fighters and facilities.
The United Nations and humanitarian agencies have rejected sustained criticism from Israel that it has left hundreds of truckloads of food waiting at depots inside the Gaza border, refusing to distribute them through the strip.
The organisations have accused Israel of failing to provide safe routes for convoys to travel through Gaza, making it too dangerous for staff to pick up the supplies and take them to the areas needed.
Israel deliberately cut the United Nations and other humanitarian organisations out of aid distribution, claiming Hamas had corrupted the supply chains and was stealing and stockpiling supplies for its own benefit.
Hamas, the UN and aid agencies have denied that.
On Saturday, the New York Times reported Israeli authorities had no evidence to back up their claims.
The US and Israeli governments backed a new private aid distribution model, run by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF).
There have been chaotic and desperate scenes at the few GHF facilities operating inside the strip, as Palestinians scrambled for whatever supplies they could secure.
Palestinian health authorities and the United Nations have reported more than 1,000 people have been killed trying to access aid, either in the vicinity of GHF sites or near truck convoys entering the strip in recent weeks.
GHF and the IDF have disputed the figures, but not provided their own information about casualties at the sites.
"The IDF emphasises that there is no starvation in the Gaza Strip; this is a false campaign promoted by Hamas," the IDF said in a statement.
"Responsibility for food distribution to the population in Gaza lies with the UN and international aid organisations.
"Therefore, the UN and international organisations are expected to improve the effectiveness of aid distribution and to ensure that the aid does not reach Hamas."
Earlier COGAT, the Israeli agency responsible for aid delivery into Gaza, reported 250 trucks were allowed to cross into Gaza last week.
Humanitarian agencies have said that figure needs to be significantly larger to make any difference to the population.
The IDF also announced electricity supply would be reconnected to a desalination plant in Deir al-Balah, which it cut off in March in order to apply further pressure to Hamas.
Just days ago, Australia and more than two dozen other nations launched their most strident criticism of Israel since the war in Gaza began, demanding aid deliveries increase significantly and that a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas be reached.
The announcement from Israeli authorities came as thousands took to the streets in Tel Aviv, Israel's largest population centre, to demand the Netanyahu government agree to a ceasefire and hostage release deal.
Rallies are held in the city multiple times a week, and the crowds marched on the US consulate to demand the intervention of US President Donald Trump.
"President Trump, you brought me back, and I thank you for that," released hostage Yair Horn told the crowd.
His brother remains among the 50 captives still held by Hamas, 20 of whom are believed to still be alive.
"Half of me is still in Gaza.I returned as part of a partial deal that collapsed," Mr Horn said.
"We don't have time for a partial deal, the hostages don't have time for a partial deal.
"We need to recalculate the course and talk about a comprehensive agreement that brings everyone back."
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