Aid trucks move from Egypt to Gaza after Israel said it began airdrops
Israel said that it began aid airdrops to Gaza on Saturday and was taking several other steps to ease the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
The Israeli military said 'humanitarian corridors' would be established for safe movement of United Nations convoys delivering aid to Gazans and that 'humanitarian pauses' would be implemented in densely populated areas.
Dozens of trucks carrying tonnes of humanitarian aid moved towards the Karam Abu Salem (Kerem Shalom) crossing in southern Gaza, the Al Qahera correspondent said from the Rafah border crossing between Egypt and Gaza.
International aid organisations say there is mass hunger among Gaza's 2.2 million people, with food running out after Israel cut off all supplies to the territory in March, before resuming it in May with new restrictions.
Israel says it has let enough food into Gaza and accuses the United Nations of failing to distribute it. The United Nations says it is operating as effectively as possible under Israeli restrictions.
Gaza civil defence says Israeli forces kill 28 people
Israel's announcement on airdrops came after indirect ceasefire talks in Doha between Israel and the Palestinian group Hamas were broken off with no deal in sight.
The Israeli military said in a statement that the airdrops would be conducted in coordination with international aid organisations and would include seven pallets of aid containing flour, sugar, and canned food.
Palestinian sources confirmed that aid had begun dropping in northern Gaza.
Israel's foreign ministry said the military would 'apply a 'humanitarian pause' in civilian centres and in humanitarian corridors' on Sunday morning. It provided no further details.
'The IDF emphasizes that there is no starvation in the Gaza Strip; this is a false campaign promoted by Hamas,' the Israeli military said in its Saturday statement.
'Responsibility for food distribution to the population in Gaza lies with the UN and international aid organizations. Therefore, the UN and international organizations are expected to improve the effectiveness of aid distribution and to ensure that the aid does not reach Hamas.'
Aid ship intercepted
The Israeli military stressed that despite the humanitarian steps, 'combat operations have not ceased' in the Gaza Strip.
Separately, international activists on an aid ship that set sail from Italy en route to Gaza said in a post on X that the vessel had been intercepted.
The Israeli foreign ministry said on X that naval forces 'stopped the vessel from illegally entering the maritime zone of the coast of Gaza,' that it was being taken to Israeli shores and all passengers were safe.
The UN said on Thursday that humanitarian pauses in Gaza would allow 'the scale up of humanitarian assistance' and said Israel had not provided enough route alternatives for its convoys hindering aid access.
Israeli military announces military pause in three Gaza areas
Dozens of Gazans have died of malnutrition in the past few weeks, according to the Gaza Health Ministry while 127 people have died due to malnutrition, including 85 children, since the start of the war, which began nearly two years ago.
On Wednesday, more than 100 aid agencies warned that mass starvation was spreading across the enclave.
The military also said on Saturday that it had connected a power line to a desalination plant, expected to supply daily water needs for about 900,000 Gazans.
Israel launched its assault on Gaza after Hamas-led fighters stormed Israeli towns near the border, killing some 1,200 people and capturing 251 hostages on October 7, 2023. Since then, Israeli forces have killed nearly 60,000 people in Gaza, health officials there say, and reduced much of the enclave to ruins.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Business Recorder
an hour ago
- Business Recorder
Hamas says delegation leaving Doha after Gaza ceasefire talks breakdown
GAZA CITY: Hamas's negotiating team left the Qatari capital Doha for Turkiye on Tuesday to discuss the 'latest developments' in the stalled Gaza ceasefire talks, a Hamas official told AFP. 'A high-level leadership delegation from Hamas, headed by Mohammed Darwish, president of the movement's leadership council, and including the negotiation team and its head, Khalil al-Hayya, is departing Doha heading to Istanbul', the source told AFP. 'The delegation will hold several meetings with Turkish officials regarding the latest developments in the ceasefire negotiations, which stalled last week', the source added. Trump says Gaza ceasefire 'possible' amid Starmer talks For over two weeks, mediators in Qatar had been shuttling between Israeli and Hamas delegations in a bid to secure a breakthrough in indirect talks for a ceasefire and the release of hostages held in Gaza, nearly two years into the war. The United States joined Israel last week in pulling its negotiators from the negotiations, with US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff blaming the Palestinian group for the failure to reach a deal and saying Washington would 'consider alternative options'. Hamas politburo member Bassem Naim told AFP on Friday that the latest discussions focused on details of an Israeli military withdrawal from the Gaza Strip. Israel has resisted international calls to agree a ceasefire in Gaza, with UN-backed experts warning on Tuesday that the Palestinian territory was slipping into famine. Israeli foreign minister Gideon Saar called the ceasefire demands 'a distorted campaign of international pressure against Israel' that would leave Hamas in power in Gaza. 'It ain't gonna happen, no matter how much pressure is put on Israel', he said at a press conference Tuesday.
Express Tribune
an hour ago
- Express Tribune
Dar reaffirms Pakistan's support for independent Palestinian state at UN
DPM Ishaq Dar addressing international conference on 'Question of Palestine and the Implementation of the Two-State Solution' at UN on Monday. Photo : Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has reaffirmed Pakistan's unwavering support for Palestine's right to an independent state, emphasising the importance of the pre-1967 borders. Speaking at the United Nations High-Level International Conference on "The Peaceful Settlement of the Question of Palestine and the Implementation of the Two-State Solution" in New York, Dar highlighted his nation's long-standing stance on the Palestinian issue. "For over 75 years, the Palestinian people have endured occupation, displacement, and the denial of their fundamental rights," said Dar, addressing the assembled diplomats and officials. Statement by Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar* Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister of Pakistan *At the High-Level International Conference on the Peaceful Settlement of the Question of Palestine and the Implementation of the Two-State Solution* (28 July 2025) *** Honourable… — Permanent Mission of Pakistan to the UN (@PakistanUN_NY) July 28, 2025 The Foreign Minister condemned the ongoing violence in Gaza, particularly the deaths of over 58,000 Palestinians, calling it "an unconscionable breach of international humanitarian law." He stated that the situation violates United Nations resolutions and the binding decisions of the International Court of Justice. Dar urged for an "unconditional, immediate, and permanent ceasefire" across Gaza and all Palestinian-occupied territories, stressing the importance of protecting civilians and adhering to international laws. In addition, Dar called for "full and unimpeded humanitarian access," particularly the delivery of life-saving food and medicines to Gaza. He also highlighted the need for the protection of humanitarian teams working on the ground.
Business Recorder
3 hours ago
- Business Recorder
Pakistan ready for composite dialogue with India, says DPM Dar
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has said Pakistan is ready for dialogue with India, adding that Pakistan seeks a composite dialogue that includes Kashmir as well as other issues, including the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), APP reported. Addressing a news conference in New York, Dar emphasised the dialogue will not be limited to the issue of terrorism alone. He reiterated Pakistan has been the biggest victim of terrorism and noted that the US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, in a meeting with him, acknowledged Pakistan's sacrifices in the fight against terrorism. The foreign minister said, during this bilateral meeting, the longstanding Jammu and Kashmir dispute was also raised, emphasising that 'permanent peace is not possible in the region without resolution of this dispute'. He recalled that the US President Donald Trump had also raised the Kashmir issue multiple times. As regards to the IWT, Dar said Pakistan's stance is very clear. He said the IWT is binding and no single party can terminate or amend it. He firmly stated that any attempt to divert or block Pakistan's share of water would be unacceptable. India's defence minister rejects Trump's ceasefire claim India suspended the treaty on April 23, 2025; one day after the Pahalgam incident in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir, blaming Pakistan for the attack without any evidence. Pakistan firmly denied any involvement in the attack. Pakistan has repeatedly shared its stance that if India blocks Pakistan's strategic waters, it will be considered an act of war, since millions depend on these waters for agriculture and hence food security is directly linked with uninterrupted water flow. In a move that directly clashes with international norms, and IWT's own clauses, India pulled out of treaty unilaterally, a move that is being acknowledge worldwide as politically motivated. The treaty was signed in 1960 and the World Bank is a facilitator, often dubbed a protector, whenever any disagreement occurs on this water-sharing deal. Responding to a question, the deputy prime minister made it clear that Pakistan has no plan to recognise Israel. He demanded immediate ceasefire in Gaza and delivery of humanitarian assistance to the Palestinian people. He reaffirmed Pakistan's unwavering support for the establishment of a sovereign and independent Palestinian state with Al-Quds Al Sharif as its capital. Describing his US visit as successful, FM Dar said Pakistan has also raised voice for reforms in the UN Security Council emphasising that the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) should be given due representation in the world body. On relations with the neighbouring Muslim countries, Dar highlighted Pakistan's outreach to Afghanistan, with a view to enhancing regional connectivity through rail and trade corridors to Central Asia. Pakistan's relations with Iran have also greatly improved, he said. 'I am fully satisfied with the role Pakistan played in enhancing its relations With Iran,' the foreign minister added.
