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International agencies were preparing Saturday to pour aid into Gaza, hopeful a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas will allow them to put an end to the famine haunting parts of the territory.But optimism was marked with caution.The fragile truce could open access, but aid agencies fear Israel may continue to impose restrictions on access under US President Donald Trump's plan.Logistical hurdles are far from the mind of displaced father Marwan al-Madhun.The 34-year-old just wants to know when the trucks will arrive."My children are mainly happy to know that meat and chicken will arrive at last," he told AFP in central Gaza, as tens of thousands of Palestinians started to walk back to homes destroyed during fighting in the north."It's been two years that they've been deprived," he said. "At last, the crossing points will open!"On August 22, the United Nations declared a famine in Gaza, the first in the Middle East, after experts warned 500,000 people faced a "catastrophic" threat.Israel has accused Hamas of manufacturing a crisis and stealing aid.Now, the United Nations Office for Humanitarian Affairs says Israel has approved delivery of 170,000 tonnes of aid under a response plan for the first 60 days of truce."The most basic necessities are still urgently needed in Gaza: medical equipment, medicines, food, water, fuel, and adequate shelter for two million people who will face the approaching winter without a roof over their heads," said Jacob Granger, Gaza coordinator for Doctors Without Borders.Representatives of Granger's organisation, the World Food Programme and the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) said they were ready to step up shipments, but much remains unclear."The difficulty we have now is questions of access," said Antoine Renard, WFP director in the Palestinian territories, speaking from Deir el-Balah in central Gaza.The WFP, which leads the group of organisations handling food security, has begun discussions with COGAT, the Israeli defence ministry agency for civilian affairs in the territories.On Friday, empty WFP trucks were seen leaving Khan Yunis in southern Gaza and heading to the Kerem Shalom crossing to be loaded with food aid for distribution inside Gaza.The Trump plan foresees a return to the UN-led aid system in place before January 2025, when Israel sealed Gaza's borders and a private US-led operation took over aid distribution."But the conditions on the ground are different," Renard said.Since Israel's latest offensive into the cities in the north of Gaza last month, hundreds of thousands of Palestinians have been driven from the homes -- many of which were destroyed -- into central and southern Gaza.This has shifted pressure for food aid into a now overcrowded area whose original residents were already struggling.The Trump plan states "full aid will be immediately sent to the Gaza Strip" as soon as the agreement comes into effect, "without interference from either party."Several humanitarian sources expressed optimism, despite concerns about security and registration procedures, on which Israel has yet to provide guidance."We are pushing different embassies and donors to speak to the Israeli authorities on their end, because we need, for example, trucks that can make round trips to the distribution platforms without facing constraints on the Israeli side," an official from a medical agency told AFP.Since spring, most of the aid on which Palestinian civilians depend has been supplied by the private Gaza Humanitarian Foundation.The UN Human Rights Office says GHF operations -- supported by the United States and Israel -- have seen 1,000 people killed near distribution sites.Several aid officials told AFP they were not involved in planning for the ceasefire."We don't have a lot of visibility on what exactly has been agreed on yet, but we will do everything we can," said Shaina Low, NRC spokeswoman."Humanitarian aid should never be subject to negotiation -- it's a fundamental right for people in need," she argued."The fact that it's tied to a ceasefire deal is problematic, as it should not be used as a bargaining chip -- just as the hostages never should have been."

Unicef says children's deaths could spikeChildren haven't eaten properly for 'way too long'WFP, Israeli security source expect 600 trucks a day to enter GazaUNRWA says it has enough food for three months waiting outside GazaThe UN children's charity Unicef called on Friday for all crossings for food aid into war-shattered Gaza to be opened, saying children in the territory were especially vulnerable because they have gone without proper food for long periods."The situation is critical. We risk seeing a massive spike in child death, not only neonatal, but also infants, given their immune systems are more compromised than ever before," said Unicef spokesperson Ricardo Pires.Children's immunity is low because "they haven't been eating properly and recently at all for way too long", he said.Israeli troops began pulling back from some parts of the Palestinian territory on Friday under a ceasefire deal with Hamas, in the first phase of an initiative by US President Donald Trump to end the two-year-old war.The United Nations plans to ramp up its delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza, where some areas are experiencing famine, in the first 60 days of a ceasefire in the enclave, a top UN official said on Thursday.An Israeli security source and the UN World Food Programme (WFP) said they expect about 600 aid trucks to enter Gaza daily."Under the ceasefire arrangement, we will have more than 145 community distribution points, in addition to up to 30 bakeries and all of our nutrition sites," Ross Smith, WFP Director of Emergencies, told Reuters on Friday.The WFP expects to begin scaling up deliveries early next week, but that would depend on the withdrawal of Israeli forces so that humanitarian safe zones can be expanded.COGAT, the arm of the Israeli military that oversees aid flows into Gaza, did not immediately reply to a Reuters request for comment.In a televised address, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israeli forces would stay in Gaza to ensure the territory was demilitarised and that Hamas disarmed in future stages of Trump's plan.Access to northern Gaza is critical, the WFP said, with up to 400,000 people who have not received assistance for several weeks.The agency has urged improved scanning and approval of aid convoys to speed truck entry.Unicef said 50,000 children were at risk of acute malnutrition and in need of immediate treatment. Unicef also aims to provide one million blankets for every child in Gaza and hopes to deliver wheelchairs and crutches, which it said had previously been blocked.Both Unicef and the UN Palestinian refugee relief agency UNRWA said they have yet to receive details on their roles during the ceasefire.UNRWA, which is banned from operating in Israel, has urged the Israeli authorities to allow it to take 6,000 trucks' worth of aid into Gaza, including enough food to feed the population for three months, from Jordan and Egypt."We've not had any progress to move those supplies into Gaza... and this is absolutely critical in controlling the spread of famine," Juliette Touma, the spokesperson for UNRWA, said.CARE International told Reuters on Friday it still had not received clearance for its supplies to enter as it faces ongoing registration barriers, like other agencies including the Norwegian Refugee Council."We still need clarity on how we'll be able to get supplies into Gaza that have been stuck outside for months," said Jolien Veldwijk, CARE Palestine Country Director.

Jordan has welcomed the agreement reached to establish a ceasefire in Gaza, along with the mechanisms for implementing the first phase, which aim to end the war, facilitate a prisoner exchange, ensure the withdrawal of Israeli forces from the Strip, and allow for the entry of humanitarian aid. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Ayman Safadi praised the significant efforts made by the Arab Republic of Egypt, the State of Qatar, and the United States to help broker the agreement. He also expressed appreciation for the contributions of the Republic of Turkey. Safadi stressed the importance of fully adhering to and implementing the terms of the agreement to end the war and address the catastrophic consequences of the aggression. He also commended US President Donald Trump for his pivotal role in finalizing the agreement, including his proposal to end the war, rebuild Gaza, prevent the displacement of the Palestinian people, and advance a comprehensive peace process. Safadi further welcomed President Trump's announcement that the US would oppose the annexation of the West Bank. The Jordanian foreign minister emphasized the urgent need for coordinated efforts to ensure the immediate and sufficient delivery of humanitarian aid to end the famine facing Gaza. Safadi reaffirmed that Jordan will continue to work alongside its Arab and international partners to achieve a just and comprehensive peace—one that includes an end to the occupation and the establishment of an independent, sovereign Palestinian state on the June 4, 1967, borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital. Earlier today, President Trump announced that Israel and the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) had signed the first phase of the peace plan, expressing gratitude to the mediators from Qatar, Egypt, and Turkey for their roles in the process.

The Palestinian Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) said that an agreement had been reached to end the war on the Gaza Strip, allow the withdrawal of Israeli occupation forces, the entry of aid, and a prisoner exchange. The movement said in a statement that after responsible and serious negotiations conducted by the movement and the Palestinian resistance factions regarding the proposal of US President Donald Trump in Sharm El Sheikh, with the aim of reaching an end to the war of genocide against the Palestinian people and the withdrawal of the occupation from the Gaza Strip, an agreement was reached stipulating the end of the war on Gaza, the withdrawal of the occupation, the entry of aid, and the exchange of prisoners. Hamas expressed appreciation for the mediation efforts of Qatar, Egypt, and Turkiye, as well as President Trump's efforts seeking to end the war permanently and for the withdrawal of the occupation from the Gaza Strip. The movement called on President Trump and various Arab, Islamic, and international parties to oblige the occupation government to implement the full requirements of the agreement and not allow it to evade or delay in implementing what was agreed upon. Earlier, Trump announced that Israel and Hamas had signed the first phase of the peace plan.

Greece's foreign ministry said 161 nationals from 16 European countries landed in Athens on Monday after being expelled by Israel for taking part in a Gaza aid flotilla. Israel on Monday deported more activists who were on the flotilla bound for the devastated Palestinian territory, including Swedish climate campaigner Greta Thunberg. The 45-vessel flotilla had been aiming to break an Israeli blockade to deliver aid to Gaza, where the United Nations says famine has taken hold after two years of devastating conflict. "A special repatriation flight landed safely in Athens carrying the 27 Greek citizens who took part in the 'Global Sumud Flotilla'," the Greek foreign ministry said in a statement. "This flight also facilitated the return of 134 nationals from 15 European countries," it added, without elaborating. According to the Swedish branch of the Global Movement for Gaza, the deported Swedish nationals were on board the flight. At Athens International Airport, activists unfurled a huge Palestinian flag in the arrivals hall and chanted "Freedom for Palestine" and "Long live the flotilla!", AFP reporters saw. The Global Sumud flotilla departed from Barcelona in Spain in early September. The vessels were boarded by the Israeli navy off Egypt and the Gaza Strip between October 1 and 3. The ships were forcibly diverted to the Israeli port of Ashdod. According to Israeli police, more than 470 people aboard the flotilla boats were arrested. The first deportations began on October 2 and currently 138 flotilla participants remain in detention in Israel, the foreign ministry told AFP.

Four Palestinians were martyred and several others were injured in Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip on Monday. According to medical sources, two Palestinians were martyred and others were wounded after Israeli warplanes targeted the Tal Al-Hawa neighborhood in Gaza City, while Israeli artillery also shelled areas in the southern part of the city. Two more Palestinians were martyred and several others were injured when the Israeli occupation army targeted a group of aid seekers south of Khan Younis, in the southern Gaza Strip. Earlier Monday, the Palestinian Ministry of Health in Gaza announced that the death toll from the ongoing Israeli aggression on the Gaza Strip since October 2023 has risen to 26,139 martyrs, with 169,583 others injured.

Greek vessels join flotilla, now 47 civilian boats strongGreta Thunberg among activists aboardItaly warns of dangers challenging Israeli blockadeAn international aid flotilla that paused for several days in Greek waters for repairs has set sail again for Gaza, where activists aim to challenge Israel's naval blockade and deliver aid to the Palestinian territory.Organisers said on Sunday that Greek vessels had now joined their enterprise, meaning that the flotilla, which counts some 47 civilian boats, was "complete".A statement from the Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC) and the Thousand Madleens to Gaza (TMTG) said they intended to "break the illegal Israeli blockade" to deliver aid to the Palestinian territory."For the most part, our boats carry medical supplies, dry food and school equipment, as this was highlighted as some of the biggest priorities by Palestinians on the ground," they added."Brothers and sisters in Gaza, we sail with hope in our hearts. Your resilience is our compass, your struggle is our struggle. Together, we will break the silence of the siege," the Global Sumud Flotilla wrote on social media.They intend to join the Global Sumud Flotilla which is also bound for Gaza carrying aid supplies.On board are elected officials from the European Parliament and from countries including Belgium, France, Ireland, Spain and the United States.Around 40 Italians are aboard the flotilla alongside activists from dozens of other countries, including Swedish climate campaigner Greta Thunberg. They hope to bring humanitarian aid to Gaza in the coming week.Italy's Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani on Sunday repeated a proposal made last week for the flotilla to take the aid to Cyprus for eventual distribution in Gaza by the Roman Catholic Church. The flotilla rejected the suggestion."We have always said ... that it is dangerous to approach Israeli waters. We don't know what might happen. Forcing the blockade is dangerous," Tajani told reporters. The flotilla was struck on Wednesday in international waters off Crete by drones armed with stun grenades and irritants, which caused damage but no injuries.Israel did not comment on the incident. It has previously said it will use any means to prevent the boats from reaching Gaza, arguing that its naval blockade is legal as it battles Hamas militants in the coastal enclave.Italy and Spain have deployed navy ships close to the flotilla for rescue and humanitarian tasks.On Wednesday, the United Nations called for an investigation into alleged drone attacks off Greece against the Global Sumud Flotilla, which activists have blamed on Israel.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan discussed bilateral relations and regional and international issues during a phone call with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, particularly developments in the Gaza Strip and the need to halt the Israeli aggression and ensure the uninterrupted flow of humanitarian aid. During the call, President Erdogan stressed the need to stop Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and prevent him from undermining peace in the region, emphasizing that the Israeli occupation government has demonstrated through its actions its lack of intention to achieve peace. Erdogan noted that the current session of the UN General Assembly witnessed significant steps toward implementing the two-state solution, stressing that Türkiye will continue its efforts to ensure the protection of Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip.

King Felipe VI of Spain has called for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and the delivery of humanitarian aid, stressing that there should be no longer silence over the killing and starvation in the enclave. There must be no glossing over the systematic destruction of schools and hospitals, the killing of civilians, and the deliberate infliction of starvation in Gaza, he stressed, addressing the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly. He described what is unfolding in the Gaza Strip as a matter that shocks human conscience and constitutes a profound disgrace to the international community, while calling upon the Israeli entity to immediately cease all acts of killing. King Felipe further noted that the international community must assume its responsibility to achieve peace through the two-state solution, averring that the recognition of a Palestinian state should help establish peace and regional stability in the region. He expressed his pushback on the rising voices that claim the end of multilateralism and that the UN has become defanged, calling upon all to recall the circumstances surrounding the establishment of the UN in the aftermath of WWII, and the grim chapter humanity endured during that era. In addition, the King underscored the utmost importance of cooperation and multilateralism to confront the current epochal challenges, stressing that the UN has become instrumental, cannot be dispensed with, and that no alternative can be found for it. He expressed his deep concern over the erosion of democracy and the growing departure from the fundamental values that underpin peaceful coexistence among all peoples, affirming his country's unwavering commitment to continue supporting efforts to achieve a just and lasting peace in accordance with the principles of international law. The high-level week of the UN General Assembly continues in full swing, with today featuring remarks from additional heads of state and government during the general debate, a high-level meeting on the situation of Palestinian children, the climate summit, a Security Council meeting on artificial intelligence, and other high-stakes events and dialogues.

At least 11 Palestinians, including aid seekers, were martyred and dozens more injured on Sunday morning as Israeli warplanes and artillery continued strikes on Gaza City and Rafah, according to medical sources and WAFA News. In one of the deadliest attacks, seven civilians were martyred and others injured after an Israeli airstrike targeted a residential building in Al-Hawa neighborhood, in southern Gaza City. Rescue teams continue to search for survivors under the rubble. In a separate incident, four Palestinians were martyred and dozens injured when Israeli forces opened fire on a group of civilians waiting for aid in northern Rafah, in the southern part of the Strip. Israeli forces are intensifying the demolition and destruction of homes in northern Gaza and Gaza City, as part of a continued effort to forcibly displace civilians toward the southern regions of the Strip. The ongoing Israeli aggression on Gaza since October 2023 has so far resulted in at least 64,803 martyrs, and over 164,264 injuries.

The 10th Amiri Air Force aircraft arrived in the Afghan capital, Kabul, carrying urgent medical aid provided by the Qatar Fund For Development (QFFD) to support the healthcare sector, as part of the airlift being operated by the State of Qatar to help alleviate the suffering of the brotherly Afghan people following the earthquake that struck eastern Afghanistan.The aid includes essential medicines, intravenous fluids, and a number of vital supplies needed to save lives, aimed at strengthening the capacity of hospitals and frontline health facilities to meet urgent needs.The Ministry of Public Health in Afghanistan received the aid to ensure its prompt and effective distribution to the affected communities.These efforts come as part of the State of Qatar's continued support for the Afghan people and reflects the country's firm commitment to humanitarian solidarity and support for those impacted by natural disasters.The State continues its steady approach to providing humanitarian aid, despite the Israeli attack, driven by its ethical responsibility and leading humanitarian role at both regional and international levels.

UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Syria Dr. Adam Abdelmoula affirmed that nearly 16.5 million people in Syria are in need of humanitarian aid, alongside 2.5 million returnees-both internally displaced persons (IDPs) and refugees returning from abroad-many of whom have lost their homes. Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) quoted Abdelmoula as saying at a press conference ahead of the conclusion of his mission that displacement remains one of Syria's gravest challenges, with over 6 million people still internally displaced and more than 6 million living as refugees worldwide. He added that about 24% of housing in Syria has been damaged or destroyed in recent years, while UN funding for humanitarian needs remains "extremely scarce." To date, the Humanitarian Response Plan 2025 has received only 14% of the $3.2 billion required, he said.