Israel Allows humanitarian Aid Into Gaza After 11-Week Blockade

What Happened?

Israel will begin allowing a limited amount of humanitarian aid into Gaza after a two-month blockade to avoid a hunger crisis.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on Monday that Israel will control the whole of Gaza despite mounting pressure to lift its aid blockade, impacting over 2 million people.

'There is huge fighting going on, intense and huge, we are going to control all parts of Gaza,' Netanyahu said in a video posted on Telegram.

He pledged to achieve 'complete victory,' including the release of the remaining 58 hostages still held by Hamas.

'We are going to take control of all areas of the Strip, that's what we're going to do,' Netanyahu added.

Israel's Security Cabinet approved the measure on Sunday to end the March 2 blockage and allow a 'basic' amount of food into the enclave.

The move will reportedly allow Israel to expand its new military efforts.

Newly launched 'extensive' attacks across the strip killed more than 100 people, including dozens of children, in the last 24 hours, according to reports.

The IDF said it had struck 160 targets across the strip within that same period.

Israeli forces reportedly warned residents of the southern city of Khan Younis to evacuate immediately as they prepared 'an unprecedented attack.'

Northern Gaza’s main hospital was forced to close amid the strikes.

Why it Matters

Many have spoken out against ethnic cleansing and the permanent displacement of 2.1 million Gazans.

Netanyahu said the scenes of hunger were draining vital support and bringing Israel close to a 'red line.'

Officials said 50 trucks carrying flour, legumes, and cooking oil were allowed into the small coastal territory.

Nine trucks with baby food were also allowed to enter, according to Israeli media.

In its new campaign dubbed 'Operation Gideon's Chariots,' Israel seeks to eliminate the Hamas military and its governing capabilities.

At least 250 people have been killed across Gaza since Friday, adding to the growing death toll in a set of large-scale Israeli attacks.

'We won’t stop operating until Hamas is no longer a threat and all our hostages are home,' the IDF said last week in a post on social media.

Israel's actions come as President Donald Trump wrapped up his Middle East tour to visit the region.

U.S. officials and Hamas had recently discussed efforts for a ceasefire to resume aid flow across the besieged territory.

Hamas' goodwill gesture was the release of the last known living American hostage in the Gaza Strip, ending an 18-month ordeal.

How it Affects You

Netanyahu's intentions appear to differ from those of the U.S.

Despite Israel's plans to 'conquer,' Trump acknowledged Gaza's need for aid deliveries.

'A lot of people are starving in Gaza, so we have to look at both sides,' he previously told reporters.

Trump said, 'good things' are expected over the next month, when asked if he backed Israel's war plans.

The Trump administration has made progress with places like Riyadh, even if Saudi Arabia holds off on normalizing relations with Israel.

But it's unclear if Trump's Middle East tour will help revive peace efforts in Gaza.