Some 61 aid trucks carrying medical equipment, foodstuff, and water, unloaded on Saturday in the northern Gaza Strip, the United Nations reported on Saturday.

The 61 trucks constitute a little over a quarter of the agreed-upon 200 aid trucks that were supposed to enter the blockaded Gaza Strip every day of the four-day interim ceasefire.

Only 248 trucks have entered the Strip since the start of the ceasefire despite the agreement clearly stating that 200 trucks must enter daily. Since the truce is on its third day, that means that at least 600 should have made it in thus far.

On this issue, Hamas Politburo member Osama Hamdan affirmed to Al Mayadeen on Saturday  that "the number of aid trucks that have reached northern Gaza is less than half of what is agreed upon according to the ceasefire agreement." 

In a related context, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) announced that  Al-Shifa Hospital received eleven ambulances, three coaches, and a flatbed to aid in evacuation efforts.

The Israeli occupation struck the water supply of al-Shifa Medical Complex in #Gaza, leaving healthcare workers, patients, and refugees there thirsty and hungry as they are surrounded by the IOF.#AlShifaHospital #GazaUnderAttack pic.twitter.com/8eCi4SIxbQ

— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) November 17, 2023

It is worth noting that Al-Shifa Hospital has been repeatedly targeted and raided by Israeli occupation forces since the start of their ground invasion of the Gaza Strip.

Read next: Factchecked, again: ‘Israel’ lied, Al-Shifa Hospital is not Hamas HQ 

The statement further acknowledged that the longer the pause continues, the more humanitarian agencies can send aid into and across Gaza.

"We welcome the release of more hostages today and renew our call for the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages," the OCHA said.

"And we hope the release of more Palestinian detainees brings relief to their families and loved ones," it added.

Read next: Palestinian Resistance delays release captives over Israeli violations

Gaza Crossings Authority says aid that entered Strip 'not enough'

On his account, the spokesperson for the General Authority for Crossings and Borders in Gaza said, on Saturday, that the Rafah crossing was opened for Palestinians who had been stranded in Sinai to return to the Gaza Strip, pointing out that 250 of the Palestinians stranded on the Egyptian side entered the Strip at the time.

The Authority confirmed that the aid entering Gaza does not meet the needs of the Strip and does not reach what was hoped for and that there are major obstacles at the Rafah crossing, including the lack of trucks.

Moreover, the spokesperson underscored that on the second day of the truce, 70 aid trucks entered the Strip from the Egyptian side.

Just a humanitarian band-aid!

Amid the remnants of destruction caused by the Israeli aggression, Gazans are steadfastly reclaiming their lives despite the extremely grave situation in the besieged strip. There is a severe shortage not just of food but also of essential resources such as water, electricity, and fuel. This dire combination not only constitutes a catastrophe but also has the potential to result in further instances of starvation and disease.

In the best-case scenario, this insufficient relief acts as a band-aid, but all too often, it is deployed inadequately and belatedly amid the ongoing genocide in Gaza. The act of besieging an already vulnerable territory exacerbates the damage, making any aid in the form of biscuits, water, and shrouds insufficient for adequate recovery. A humanitarian catastrophe is imminent, potentially resulting in the loss of thousands of lives.

Read more: 'Israel' killing women, children in Gaza at historic pace: NYT