On the first day of the humanitarian pause agreed upon by Israel and Hamas, the United Nations successfully escalated the delivery of vital humanitarian aid into Gaza. A total of 200 trucks departed from Nitzana, Israel, heading to the Rafah crossing between Egypt and the Gaza Strip. The UNRWA reception point in Gaza received 137 trucks of goods, constituting the most substantial humanitarian convoy since hostilities began on October 7. In addition, 129,000 liters of fuel and four trucks of gas entered Gaza, and a large-scale medical operation evacuated 21 critical patients from the northern part of the enclave.
The Humanitarian Affairs Office, OCHA, reported that hundreds of thousands of people in Gaza were assisted with food, water, medical supplies, and other essential items. The UN welcomed the release of 24 hostages held in Gaza since October 7 and reiterated its call for the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages. UN Middle East envoy Tor Wennesland expressed hope for an extended humanitarian ceasefire, commending the release of 13 Israeli hostages, 39 Palestinians from Israeli prisons, and several foreign workers held in Gaza. He emphasized the relative calm during the humanitarian pause and called for sustained efforts to alleviate the suffering of civilians in Gaza.