World leaders celebrated with several handshakes and photoshoots as a ceasefire was announced and a prisoner-hostage exchange took place on Monday.
But for Palestinians, the promise of truckloads of aid to alleviate famine and a humanitarian crisis has not been fulfilled.
Israel agreed to let through 4,200 trucks a week, or 600 trucks per day, which it appeared to do on Sunday.
By Tuesday, it threatened to restrict the flow of assistance if the bodies of all dead hostages were not returned, and on Wednesday the Rafah crossing into Egypt remained closed. However, aid did continue to be delivered into the enclave by other routes, and Israel insisted supplies would be allowed through.
Tom Fletcher, the UN’s humanitarian chief, said: “Earlier this week, we were able to kick off our humanitarian scale-up after months of frustration and blockages. Food, medicine, fuel, water, cooking gas and tents got through to those who need them. We made progress clearing roads and reopening bakeries. We shared in the joy and relief of families reunited.
“But yesterday we faced further setbacks to that implementation. We are now tested to see whether we can ensure that these do not prevent the progress on which President Trump, the UN secretary general and so many leaders have insisted.”
On Monday, the crossings were closed due to the hostage exchange and on Tuesday because of the Jewish holiday of Shemini Atzeret.
Confusion erupted on Wednesday as Palestinians were told on Israeli radio that Rafah would be closed due to “logistical” issues, including the clearing of rubble accrued during bombardment. But the Kerem Shalom and Kissufim crossings appeared to remain open.
Unicef has said that the promise of aid had yet to be delivered: “The true test of whether this is underway has not yet happened.”
Groups on the ground in Gaza claimed that many of the trucks being let in were commercial rather than charitable.
Amjad al-Shawa, director of the Palestinian NGO Network that works with more than 800 charitable groups in the region, said that of the 600 trucks let through on Sunday, only 150 were humanitarian and “donation-based”, a small contingent was donated by Egypt and other Arab nations, and more than half were commercial, carrying food supplies for supermarkets and shops.
Unicef told The Independent that while the organisation could not confirm precise figures, the division of trucks described by Mr Al-Shawa matched their understanding of the situation.
Unicef said it had at least 1,300 trucks waiting at the borders of Gaza, of which only 40 were let through on Sunday and at least 60 were expected to be let through on Wednesday, with some being unloaded already.
The World Food Programme said: “Since the ceasefire began (11 October), WFP has dispatched 186 trucks (2,227 mt) into Gaza to support bakeries, nutrition programmes and general food distributions.”
