The opening of the Rafah border crossing between Egypt and Gaza brings much-needed relief to Israel’s Palestinians, who lack food, medicine, and water.

Hamas reported that a convoy of 20 food and medical aid vehicles from Egypt arrived in Gaza on Saturday.

Nearly 3,000 tons of aid materials were being brought by over 200 vehicles that spent days at the border before entering Gaza.

Hamas’ media office reported, “The relief aid convoy that is supposed to enter today includes 20 trucks that carry medicine, medical supplies, and a limited amount of food supplies [canned goods].”

UN Emergency Assistance Coordinator Martin Griffiths praised the delivery, saying it followed “days of deep and intense negotiations with all relevant sides to make sure that aid operations into Gaza resume as quickly as possible and with the right conditions.”

Read More: Pakistan demands UNSC reforms on Gaza and Kashmir issues.

“This delivery, I am sure, will be the beginning of a sustained effort to provide food, water, medicine, and fuel to the people of Gaza in a safe, dependable, unconditional, and unhindered manner,” said Obama.

Fuel isn’t allowed

Israel will deliver non-fuel humanitarian aid from Egypt to Gaza on Saturday.

The besieged enclave’s residents and humanitarian agencies that provide basic essentials are worried because gasoline powers generators that power hospitals and the water supply.

Homes used to fill tanks for water. They need fuel to operate water pumps and transfer vehicles. Gaza’s last seawater desalination plant shuttered Sunday due to fuel shortages.

Some hospitals have been forced to close key health sections, and others are running on restricted fuel.

If gasoline runs out, thousands of patients—including incubator babies—are at risk. Medical experts say many patients, especially those with cancer and renal failure, are reaching death.

Al Jazeera quoted UNRWA communications chief Juliette Touma as saying gasoline is “absolutely critical.” “We need fuel. We need gasoline to do our intended humanitarian effort if we want to.

“A drop of water”

In response to Hamas raids on southern Israeli settlements on October 7, Israel imposed a two-week embargo and heavy bombardment.

James Bays of Al Jazeera says the opening of the Rafah crossing is “significant,” but experts believe more aid is needed and that it might let more supplies into Gaza.

I estimate 20 trucks because Gaza used to receive 100 assistance trucks per day before this crisis. He said, “This is but a drop in the ocean.”

Gazans need help since they only eat once a day and have no clean water. Hospital workers needed medical supplies and generator fuel to treat thousands of blast victims.

Cindy McCain, executive director of the World Food Programme, told Al Jazeera that 20 trucks of aid were insufficient.

Gaza is in desperate straits. Fuel, water, and power are lacking, along with food. He said, “That combination is not only terrible, but it also has the ability to spread disease and starvation.” We need more trucks.

Since Israel shuttered the area, Palestinians must ration food and use polluted well water. Hospitals report inadequate medication and generator fuel during a territory-wide outage.

Hamas’s media office said Saturday that the expected relief truckloads “will not change the catastrophic medical conditions in Gaza.”