Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said that while the situation in the Gaza Strip was dire, claims of famine in the region were "lies", Reuters reported, quoted by BTA.
On Sunday, Israel announced that it would halt its military operations in certain parts of the enclave for 10 hours a day, while opening new humanitarian corridors. Jordan and the United Arab Emirates have also joined the effort, having begun delivering aid by airdrop.
Today, Israel reported that another 260 trucks carrying humanitarian aid had entered Gaza, after more than 200 had arrived there yesterday. According to DPA, the situation on the ground remains tense. Eyewitnesses and volunteers reported chaos during the unloading, with many of the trucks being looted before reaching their intended warehouses. Some of the products were later found on the black market.
DPA added that local health sources estimated that more than 100 people had died of malnutrition since March, after Israel severely restricted the flow of aid to Gaza.
Nevertheless, Saar said that the military pressure was effective, but Israel remained open to diplomatic solutions. He added that he refused to yield to international pressure for a ceasefire, which he said was a "tendential campaign" not only to support an end to the fighting but also to recognize a Palestinian state. "This will not happen, no matter how much pressure is exerted," the minister stressed. The ceasefire talks, brokered by Egypt and Qatar, have made some progress, but the latest round in Doha ended without a concrete breakthrough, Reuters reports. Saar also said that any end to the conflict while Hamas is still in power and holding Israeli hostages would be tragic for both Israel and the Palestinians.