Israel Finally Allows Delivery Of Flour To Gaza Strip

Gaza/PHOTO refugee condition via UN

JAKARTA - After detaining more than a month, Israel has finally allowed the delivery of flour mediated by the US to the Gaza Strip, The Times of Israel reported daily.

The deal includes sending flour to 1.5 million Gazans for five months through the World Food Program (WFP) under the United Nations.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu personally informed US President Joe Biden's administration had approved the shipment in early January, the report said.

The White House has also announced its progress on January 19, but more than a month later the flour shipment has not been able to enter Gaza.

The flour shipment had previously arrived at Ashdod Port, Israel, but Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich refrained from handing over to UNRWA, the UN agency that deals with Palestinian refugees.

Smotrich's actions were based on allegations that 12 UNRWA workers were involved in the attack by Palestinian resistance group Hamas on Israel on October 7, according to the report.

However, it is not clear whether the flour will be distributed to Gazans if it manages to enter the Palestinian enclave.

On October 7, 2023, Hamas launched a massive rocket attack on Israel from Gaza and broke through the border. The attack killed 1,200 people and Hamas took 240 others hostage.

Israel then retaliated with an all-out attack, blockaded fully Gaza, launching ground attacks within the Palestinian enclave to "instigate Hamas fighters and free hostages".

A total of 29,300 people were reported killed in the Gaza Strip, according to local authorities.

On November 24, Qatar mediated negotiations between Israel and Hamas for prisoner swaps with hostages and a ceasefire, allowing humanitarian aid to enter Gaza. The ceasefire was extended several times and ended on December 1.

More than 100 people are believed to be still being held hostage by Hamas in Gaza.