Out of Hamas' hands: COGAT approves mechanism to distribute Gaza aid with local merchants
A new mechanism was approved to allow goods into the Gaza Strip in a 'gradual and controlled' manner, the Coordination of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT), the military unit responsible for implementing the government's civilian policy in the West Bank and Gaza, announced on Tuesday.
The move comes as the pressure on Israel surrounding the humanitarian catastrophe in the enclave reached new heights in the past few weeks, as Hamas continues to hold 50 hostages that were kidnapped in the attack it led on October 7, 2023.
COGAT said that the defense establishment approved several local merchants to sell such goods, which include basic food products, baby food, fruits and vegetables, and hygiene supplies. It added that payments would be conducted via bank transfers and be monitored, and that all the goods would undergo border inspection before entry.
COGAT added that over 300 trucks entered Gaza and were awaiting collection and distribution, and that 250 had already been collected by the UN and other international groups.
It added that tanks of fuel entered as well, for "the operation of essential humanitarian systems," and that 120 pallets of aid were airdropped in cooperation with the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Jordan, Germany, Canada and Belgium.
Later on Tuesday, COGAT said that over 300 trucks entered Gaza and are waiting to be collected and distributed, along with hundreds of others queued up for UN pickup.
Over 250 aid trucks collected, distributed by UN and other international groups
They added that previously, close to 250 trucks were collected and distributed by the UN and other international organizations. 120 pallets of aid were airdropped in cooperation with the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Jordan, Germany, Canada, and Belgium.
Regarding the entry of fuel, COGAT said that UN fuel tankers entered Gaza to be used in essential humanitarian systems.
This is a developing story.
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