ATHENS

Several European countries on Saturday hailed the arrival of a 20-truck humanitarian aid convoy in the besieged Gaza Strip through Egypt's Rafah Border Crossing.

Following nearly two weeks of "complete" Israeli blockade on the Palestinian enclave, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on X welcomed the news as good and important, underlining that Berlin "continues to work through all channels to alleviate the suffering in this conflict."

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock liekwise said the entry of the aid was a "sign of hope in these difficult hours."

"We would like to thank everyone who contributed and are continuing to work hard to expand deliveries," she added.

The convoy began entering the Gaza Strip from Egypt earlier on Saturday. It was the first aid delivery to Gaza since armed conflict broke out between Israel and the Palestinian group Hamas on Oct. 7.

Gaza is experiencing a dire humanitarian crisis, with no electricity, while water, food, fuel, and medical supplies are running out.

From Italy, Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said on X that the aid delivery was "the first important results of the (Italian) government's diplomatic action to protect Palestinian civilians."

"We continue to work to save as many people as possible and free the hostages," he added.

France, for its part, welcomed the "first step." Its Foreign Ministry said on X that the access of aid must be sustained "to cover all the humanitarian needs of the civilian population in Gaza" and called for a "humanitarian truce."

British Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said the aid was "a lifeline for those suffering."

"But it cannot be a one off. The UK continues to push for humanitarian access to Gaza," he noted.

The conflict in Gaza, under Israeli bombardment and blockade since Oct. 7, began when Hamas initiated Operation Al-Aqsa Flood, a multi-pronged surprise attack that included a barrage of rocket launches and infiltrations into Israel by land, sea, and air. It said the incursion was in retaliation for the storming of the Al-Aqsa Mosque and growing violence by Israeli settlers.

The Israeli military then launched Operation Swords of Iron against Hamas targets in the Gaza Strip.

At least 4,385 Palestinians, including 1,756 children, have been killed in Israeli attacks on Gaza, while the figure stands at more than 1,400 people in Israel.