**Aid Convoy Heads to Gaza**
A convoy of 120 trucks is on its way to Gaza, carrying food and medicine. The driver, Mustafa al Qadri, is happy to be bringing aid to his “brothers” in Gaza. He says it’s a good thing to do and makes him happy.
The convoy will pass through Israeli Customs at the King Hussein/Allenby Bridge crossing before reaching Erez, where the World Food Programme will transfer the aid to local drivers. Mustafa is aware that some roads in Gaza have been blocked by Israeli settlers, and aid trucks have even been hijacked by criminal gangs.
**Jordan’s Aid Efforts**
Gaza is a popular cause in Jordan, where many people are of Palestinian descent. King Abdullah II has personally pushed for Jordan’s efforts to get fuel, food, and medicine into Gaza. The international community has promised a surge in aid once the ceasefire has been established.
The UN Secretary General, Antonio Gutteres, says it’s vital that the ceasefire removes major security and political barriers to aid delivery in Gaza. He warns that the humanitarian crisis is at a catastrophic level, with 90% of Gaza’s population displaced.
**Children’s Plight**
A BBC journalist witnessed children fighting over food in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza. Ten-year-old Farah Khaled Basal said she comes every day to collect rice or bread for her nine siblings. She dreams of a ceasefire and wants her father, who lives in the northern part of the Gaza Strip, to come back home.
Another child, Lamees Mohammad al Mizar’i, 16, said she eats anything now because of hunger. She used to be picky about food but now sees animals eating what humans eat. Her family is separated, and she lives in a tent with eight members.
**Waiting for Aid**
The UN and aid agencies are waiting for Gaza to be fully opened up for aid and peace. The Jordanian Hashemite Charity Organisation claims it could load up to 150 trucks per day for Gaza if given the green light. All parties are ready, but they need permission from the authorities to deliver the aid.
Read More @ www.bbc.com