Israel Says It Will Allow Food Supply To Gaza Strip

Illustration of the UN humanitarian aid convoy. (Source: IDF)

JAKARTA - Israel will ease the blockade and allow a small amount of food to enter Gaza, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said on Sunday, after the military announced it had started "extensive land operations" in the north and south of the enclave.

Facing mounting pressure over the ban blockade it imposed in March and the risk of starvation, Israel has stepped up its operations in Gaza, where Palestinian health authorities say hundreds of people have been killed in attacks over the past week, including 130 people killed overnight.

"On the IDF (Israel Defense Forces) recommendation and due to operational needs to allow the expansion of fierce fighting to defeat Hamas, Israel will allow a number of staple foods for residents to ensure the hunger crisis does not develop in the Gaza Strip," PM Netanyahu's office said. May 19.

Separately, Eri Kaneko, spokesman for UN aid chief Tom Fletcher confirmed the agency had been approached by Israeli authorities to "continue limited aid deliveries," adding that discussions were ongoing on logistics "given conditions on the ground."

Israel made the announcement after sources on both sides said there was no progress in the new round of indirect talks between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas in Qatar.

PM Netanyahu said the talks included discussions on ceasefires and hostage-taking deals, as well as proposals to end the war in exchange for exile Hamas militants and demilitarizing the enclave - a requirement previously rejected by Hamas.

The Israeli military hinted in a subsequent statement that they could still reduce operations to help reach an agreement in Doha.

IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir told troops in Gaza the army would give the leaders of the flexibility countries they needed to reach a hostage-taking deal, according to the statement.

Israel has been known to have blocked entry of medical supplies, food, and fuel to Gaza since early March to try to pressure Hamas to free its hostages and has approved a plan that could involve the seizure of the entire Gaza Strip and aid control.

International experts have warned of a threatening hunger disaster.

Gaza's health care system is barely operating and aid blockades have exacerbated its difficulties. Israel blames Hamas for stealing aid, which Hamas denies.

"Hospitals are overwhelmed with the increasing number of victims, many of whom are children," said Al-Deqran, a spokesman for the health ministry.

Meanwhile, Palestinian Civil Emergency Services said 75 percent of its ambulances were unable to operate due to fuel shortages. They warned, within 72 hours, all vehicles might stop operating.

In Israel, Einav Zangauker, the mother of the Matan Zangauker hostage, said PM Netanyahu refused to end the war in exchange for the hostages for political reasons.

"The Israeli government is still insisting on a partial deal only. They deliberately tortured us. Bring back our children! Everything, 58 people," Zangauker said in a post on social media.