JERUSALEM

Humanitarian assistance will be delivered to the Gaza Strip from Egypt "soon," an Israeli spokesman told Anadolu on Thursday.

“The delivery of aid from the Egyptian side into Gaza will begin soon,” said Ofir Gendelman, a spokesman for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

He did not, however, specify a date for the aid delivery.

Trucks carrying hundreds of tons of humanitarian aid have been parked near the Rafah border crossing between Egypt and the Gaza Strip, awaiting a green signal from Israel.

“Israel does not oppose this, but it must make sure that this aid will not be stolen by Hamas,” Gendelman said.

Israel has launched a massive air campaign on the Gaza Strip following a cross-border attack by Hamas on Israeli border towns.

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.

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

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has called for an “immediate humanitarian ceasefire” to ease the “epic human suffering.”

At least 3,478 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli attacks on Gaza, while the figure stands at more than 1,400 people in Israel.