UN resumes Gaza aid delivery after weeks of Israeli blockade, but fighting and tensions persist

The United Nations confirmed on Wednesday that it had collected and dispatched 90 truckloads of humanitarian aid into Gaza, marking the first delivery since early March and offering a lifeline to civilians caught in the crossfire of Israel’s ongoing military offensive against Hamas.

According to UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric, the aid was picked up at the Kerem Shalom crossing three days after Israel said it would permit limited humanitarian access to the besieged enclave. The convoy, which included flour, baby formula and medical supplies, was inspected by Israeli authorities before crossing into Gaza.

Israel’s Defence Ministry body responsible for coordinating activities in the territories, COGAT, said 100 trucks had entered Gaza on Wednesday following IDF recommendations and under orders from the country’s political leadership.

While COGAT made no comment on prior UN allegations that Israeli forces had prevented aid collection on Gaza’s side of the crossing, the delivery marked a shift in policy after nearly 11 weeks of blockade. Since March 2, Israel has blocked all aid, citing Hamas’s alleged theft of supplies and the need to pressure the group into releasing the remaining hostages from the October 7 attack.

UN officials, aid agencies, and some Israeli military leaders have in recent weeks sounded the alarm about a worsening humanitarian crisis, with credible warnings of impending famine in several parts of Gaza.

On the ground, major local transporters like Nahid Shahaiber confirmed the arrival of over 75 flour trucks in southern Rafah and more carrying sugar and nutritional supplements were spotted in Deir al-Balah.

The aid arrives amid a brutal escalation in Israel’s ground and air operations. Over the weekend, the IDF launched its latest offensive, dubbed “Gideon’s Chariots,” aiming to dismantle Hamas and assume full territorial control of Gaza. The campaign has displaced thousands and prompted fresh waves of bombardment.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu doubled down on military pressure this week, recalling Israel’s ceasefire negotiation team from Doha after talks stalled. On Tuesday, IDF chief Eyal Zamir vowed to intensify operations if Hamas refused to release the 58 remaining hostages and relinquish power.

“It will face intense firepower,” said Zamir. “We will expand the ground manoeuvre, conquer additional territory, clear and destroy the terror infrastructure until it is defeated.”

Meanwhile, in the latest sign of instability, three rockets were fired from northern Gaza on Wednesday, triggering alarms in Israeli communities near the border. The IDF reported that all three projectiles fell short within Gaza, causing no injuries. In response, evacuation orders were issued for civilians in parts of northern Gaza.

International pressure, particularly from the United States, has forced Israel to partially resume aid delivery, but the process remains contentious. The US is pushing for a new distribution mechanism using private contractors operating through secure hubs—an initiative the UN has criticised for lacking neutrality and transparency. The UN is not participating in the new plan, which is expected to be operational by the end of May.

The re-entry of humanitarian aid offers a sliver of relief, but with active fighting, collapsed infrastructure, and widespread displacement, the need for a sustained and impartial system remains critical. For now, Gaza’s war-weary population faces another uncertain chapter in a conflict showing little sign of resolution.