Israel has announced it will allow a “basic amount” of food into the Gaza Strip, according to the prime minister’s office, following growing international pressure to ease the total blockade imposed more than two months ago, AFP reports.
The office of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that, based on military advice, Israel will authorize the entry of essential food supplies to prevent a hunger crisis in Gaza.
Such a crisis, it noted, could undermine the military’s ongoing operation. Israel also emphasized it will take measures to stop Hamas from exploiting the humanitarian aid.
The blockade, in place since March 2, is intended to pressure the Palestinian group into concessions. Meanwhile, UN agencies have raised alarms about severe shortages of food, clean water, fuel, and medicine in Gaza.
