UN Reports Surge in Aid Trucks Entering Gaza Amid Ceasefire
January 22, 2025
12:42 PM
Reading time: 3 minutes

The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reported a significant increase in humanitarian aid entering the Gaza Strip as a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas continues to hold. Nearly 900 aid trucks crossed into Gaza on Tuesday, marking the third day of the ceasefire. This influx of aid has been supported by Israeli authorities, as well as the United States, Egypt, and Qatar, who are all guarantors of the ceasefire agreement.
OCHA spokesperson Jens Laerke confirmed that, so far, no major incidents of looting or attacks on aid workers had been reported, a promising sign for the fragile truce. Prior to this, the region saw an average of just 50 aid trucks per day, and the larger-scale entry is seen as a hopeful development for the people of Gaza.
"The deal must hold," Laerke emphasized, acknowledging the importance of continuing this humanitarian support and further prisoner releases. Many Gaza residents have already begun returning to their homes, marking a hopeful moment for the region. UN official Muhannad Hadi, who has worked in the region for 35 years, described this as one of the most hopeful moments of his career.
Despite some minor incidents of looting—such as children taking food baskets or people grabbing bottled water—Hadi stated that the situation is far less chaotic than before. "It’s not organized crime," he said, expressing hope that the situation will stabilize as more aid is distributed and people realize that enough resources will be provided for all.