Israel says it will allow gradual and controlled entry of goods into Gaza through local traders

Gaza — Photo: Reproduction/TV Globo

"The aim is to increase the volume of aid entering the Gaza Strip, while reducing dependence on aid collection by the UN and international organizations," the agency said.

Palestinian and UN officials say Gaza needs about 600 aid trucks a day to meet humanitarian needs — the number Israel allowed before the war.

Last Sunday (3), the terrorist group Hamas said it was willing to coordinate with the International Committee of the Red Cross the delivery of aid to hostages it is holding in Gaza, if Israel meets certain conditions. The information is from the Reuters news agency.

The statement came after the release of a video showing an extremely malnourished Israeli hostage, which drew strong criticism from Western powers. (See below).

According to Israeli authorities, 50 hostages remain in Gaza, of which only 20 are believed to be alive. Hamas has so far prevented humanitarian organizations from accessing the hostages, and their families have little or no information about their condition.

Indirect negotiations between Hamas and Israel aimed at securing a 60-day ceasefire in the Gaza war and an agreement to release half of the hostages ended in stalemate last week.

On Saturday (2), US President Donald Trump 's Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, told families of hostages held by the terrorist group that he was working with the Israeli government on a plan that would effectively end the war in Gaza.

In a recording of the meeting, seen by Reuters, Witkoff is heard saying: "We have a very, very good plan that we are working on collectively with the Israeli government, with Prime Minister Netanyahu... for the reconstruction of Gaza. This effectively means the end of the war."

The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment on his remarks.

Witkoff also said Hamas was prepared to disarm to end the war, although the group has repeatedly said it would not lay down its weapons.

In response, Hamas, which has dominated Gaza since 2007 but was militarily defeated by Israel in the war, said it would not abandon "armed resistance" unless an "independent and fully sovereign Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital" was established.

The humanitarian crisis in Gaza has worried the rest of the world. This Sunday, at least six more people died of starvation in the region, according to an Israeli official.

On Tuesday, Qatar and Egypt, which are mediating ceasefire efforts, endorsed a statement by France and Saudi Arabia outlining steps toward a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Israel blames Hamas for the suffering in Gaza and says it is taking steps to ensure more aid reaches its people, including halting fighting for part of the day in some areas, airdrops and announcing protected routes for aid convoys.

UN agencies have said that airdrops of food are insufficient and that Israel must allow much more aid in by land and quickly facilitate access to it.

The war in Gaza began when Hamas killed more than 1,200 people and took 251 hostages in an attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, according to Israeli figures. Since then, the Israeli offensive has killed more than 60,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza health officials.

According to Israeli officials, 50 hostages remain in Gaza, of which only 20 are believed to be alive.

On Sunday (3), Hamas's armed wing said it is ready to deliver Red Cross aid to hostages held in Gaza if Israel permanently opens humanitarian corridors and stops "all forms of air traffic" during the delivery of packages to the hostages.

*With information from the Reuters news agency