US: First Commercial Trucks Enter Gaza Since War

US State Department Spokesman Matthew Miller. (AP)
US State Department Spokesman Matthew Miller. (AP)
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US: First Commercial Trucks Enter Gaza Since War

US State Department Spokesman Matthew Miller. (AP)
US State Department Spokesman Matthew Miller. (AP)

The first commercial trucks have entered the Gaza Strip since the Israel-Hamas war erupted more than two months ago, joining UN-led deliveries, the United States said Monday.

It is "a critical step towards improving the lives of the Palestinian people in Gaza that we see not just humanitarian aid delivered, but also commercial goods that can be sold in stores and markets," State Department spokesman Matthew Miller told reporters, AFP reported.

Miller said that the first private trucks entered Saturday and more came through on Monday.

He did not offer details on the quantities or operators but said the trucks were largely bringing food -- stocks of which have depleted severely since Israel sealed off the territory in response to the October 7 attack by Hamas.

The trucks came through the Rafah crossing between Gaza and Egypt.

Israel, during a visit late last week by National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan, also announced the opening of the Kerem Shalom border crossing into Gaza.

Miller said that both the border crossing and the arrival of commercial trucks were the "result of intensive diplomacy" by US officials including Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

"While this weekend's breakthroughs are important, they are also not by themselves sufficient," Miller said.

"We will continue to work closely with the governments of Israel, Egypt and partner countries in the region to further increase the humanitarian assistance flowing into Gaza to address the needs of the Palestinian people," he said.

The United States has been Israel's critical supporter, offering both military supplies and diplomatic backing, but has been increasingly seeking to show that it is working behind the scenes to address concerns over the war's heavy toll on Palestinians.



Gaza Journalist Dies of Wounds from Israeli Strike 

Palestinian journalists inspect the debris and damage after an Israeli strike hit a tent used by journalists in the southern city of Khan Younis on April 7, 2025. (AFP)
Palestinian journalists inspect the debris and damage after an Israeli strike hit a tent used by journalists in the southern city of Khan Younis on April 7, 2025. (AFP)
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Gaza Journalist Dies of Wounds from Israeli Strike 

Palestinian journalists inspect the debris and damage after an Israeli strike hit a tent used by journalists in the southern city of Khan Younis on April 7, 2025. (AFP)
Palestinian journalists inspect the debris and damage after an Israeli strike hit a tent used by journalists in the southern city of Khan Younis on April 7, 2025. (AFP)

A Palestinian photojournalist who was wounded in an Israeli strike on a media tent outside of a hospital has died.

Ahmed Mansour suffered severe burns in the strike early Monday, according to Nasser Hospital in the southern city of Khan Younis.

The strike killed two other people, including another journalist, and wounded another five reporters.

The Israeli military said the target of the strike was a man it described as a Hamas fighter posing as a journalist. He was among those who were wounded.