World Food Program: 60,000 tons of food supplies ready for Gaza

SadaNews - Following the start of the ceasefire in Gaza, the World Food Program, based in Rome, urged the Israeli government to rapidly allow additional aid to be delivered to the war-torn residents of the area, according to the German News Agency.

Martin Frick, the program's representative in Germany, Austria, and Liechtenstein, told the RND media group: "This moment is extremely important for the people of Gaza."

Frick confirmed, "The ceasefire must now provide secure border crossings and clear security guarantees for delivering aid," emphasizing that every hour is crucial.

He explained that 60,000 tons of food supplies are ready to enter through the border crossings, with another 100,000 tons on their way to the region.

He noted that this would be sufficient to supply Gaza with food for approximately three months, provided that access is safe and reliable.

Frick added that the World Food Program could reach 1.6 million people, providing them with bread, flour, and food rations in just the first month.

He explained that Israel controls the entrances to the Gaza Strip, and it must allow the passage of aid while ensuring the safety of the convoys.

The ceasefire between Israel and the Palestinian group Hamas came into effect yesterday (Friday) at 09:00 GMT.

Thousands of residents from the city of Gaza and its northern regions flooded in hopes of returning to their homes after enduring displacement, but Israeli forces initially prevented them before retreating at noon when the ceasefire was announced, allowing hundreds of thousands to move on foot and by vehicles toward their residential areas, amidst piles of rubble.

With Israel's withdrawal, according to the requirements of the first phase of the "Gaza Agreement," the presence of Hamas security forces began to spread in some areas and thoroughfares in the central and southern regions of the Strip, as well as parts of the city of Gaza.

The Interior Ministry affiliated with Hamas accused Israel of using food, water, and medicine as weapons of war, demolishing 90 percent of the civilian infrastructure, and controlling over 80 percent of the region's area.