Israel Says Aid Shipment Reaches Northern Gaza

Muslim worshippers perform the weekly Friday prayers in a tent enclosure by destroyed buildings in Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip on October 18, 2024 amid the ongoing war in the Palestinian territory between Israel and Hamas. (AFP)
Muslim worshippers perform the weekly Friday prayers in a tent enclosure by destroyed buildings in Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip on October 18, 2024 amid the ongoing war in the Palestinian territory between Israel and Hamas. (AFP)
TT

Israel Says Aid Shipment Reaches Northern Gaza

Muslim worshippers perform the weekly Friday prayers in a tent enclosure by destroyed buildings in Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip on October 18, 2024 amid the ongoing war in the Palestinian territory between Israel and Hamas. (AFP)
Muslim worshippers perform the weekly Friday prayers in a tent enclosure by destroyed buildings in Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip on October 18, 2024 amid the ongoing war in the Palestinian territory between Israel and Hamas. (AFP)

Israel’s military said Friday it allowed 30 trucks of humanitarian aid into northern Gaza, the latest delivery over the past week as Israel faces pressure from the US to ramp up aid.

The Israeli military body in charge of humanitarian aid, COGAT, said the trucks carried food, water, medical supplies and shelter equipment. There was no immediate confirmation from the UN that the aid arrived and was being distributed in the north.

Aid crossings to the north of the strip were closed for the first two weeks of October, the UN says, sending food and water levels plunging in an area where some of the heaviest fighting in Gaza is taking place.

The closures raised fears that Israel was implementing an extreme plan proposed by Israeli generals to besiege northern Gaza and starve out Hamas fighters there.

Following a letter from the US saying the continual closures could risk continued weapons funding for Israel, Israel says that crossings have reopened and aid is continuing to flow.



Erdogan Says Türkiye in Close Dialogue with Syria’s Sharaa

A handout photo made available by the Turkish Presidential press office shows Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan arriving for the opening session of the Organization of Eight Developing Countries (D-8) summit in Cairo, Egypt, 19 December 2024. (EPA/ Turkish Presidential Press Office handout)
A handout photo made available by the Turkish Presidential press office shows Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan arriving for the opening session of the Organization of Eight Developing Countries (D-8) summit in Cairo, Egypt, 19 December 2024. (EPA/ Turkish Presidential Press Office handout)
TT

Erdogan Says Türkiye in Close Dialogue with Syria’s Sharaa

A handout photo made available by the Turkish Presidential press office shows Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan arriving for the opening session of the Organization of Eight Developing Countries (D-8) summit in Cairo, Egypt, 19 December 2024. (EPA/ Turkish Presidential Press Office handout)
A handout photo made available by the Turkish Presidential press office shows Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan arriving for the opening session of the Organization of Eight Developing Countries (D-8) summit in Cairo, Egypt, 19 December 2024. (EPA/ Turkish Presidential Press Office handout)

Türkiye is in close dialogue with Syria's de facto leader Ahmed al-Sharaa, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Monday, adding visits to Syria will increase from now on.

Speaking after a cabinet meeting in Ankara, Erdogan said Türkiye would provide the Syrian people with all the support they needed to consolidate their gains.

"In the future of Syria and our region, there is no place for any terrorist organization, including ISIS and the PKK," he said, adding Türkiye’s unwavering line is to protect Syria's territorial integrity and unity under all circumstances.