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First UN relief convoy reaches families trapped in northern Gaza

First UN relief convoy reaches families trapped in northern Gaza

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The first shipment of food and water to people trapped in their homes by the current Israeli incursion into northern Gaza was delivered to half of the 600 families there, the main United Nations agency helping Palestinian refugees said today.

The families, comprising some 3,300 persons, have been completely unable to leave their homes east of Jabalyia camp since the beginning of the Israeli military operation on 29 September, according to the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA).

Most have exhausted their food supplies and many have seen their water and electricity connections to their homes cut by bulldozing operations.

Today's operation brought food parcels containing rice, sugar, lentils, milk and other supplies to 300 families in the Sikka Street and Tel Es Zatar area. The Agency said it hoped to reach the remaining 300 families tomorrow. UNRWA also trucked in 8,000 litres of potable water.

UNRWA said the delivery was facilitated by a practical dialogue with Israeli military liaison officers, which enabled the Agency to coordinate the movement of a convoy of aid trucks into the area under control of the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF).